Wow, even here Bert Lahr was playing a timid character, with the same voice characterization as the cowardly lion eight years later; I guess that was his shtick. In this film he's the inventor of the "Aerocopter" a "thing that will go straight up and down like an elevator," which is pretty interesting considering the helicopter wasn't invented until the end of the decade. Unfortunately, Lahr's oafish and exaggerated antics make up most of the movie, so despite the occasional zinger from Charlotte Greenwood and some nice examples of Busby Berkeley's earlier choreography, this is a tough one to watch.
The musical numbers seem strangely glued on, but they're the only reason to watch this film. 'I'll Make a Happy Landing,' has various overhead effects like names being spelled out and charming visual patterns created by the dancers, and 'We'll Dance Until the Dawn' also delivers kaleidoscope patterns, utilizing beautiful costumes. They're both pretty cute. There is some pre-Code naughtiness in one of the numbers, which starts when after a command from a doctor, a group of young smiling women peel off some clothing. "Hooray we gotta strip!" one says, followed by shots of legs and lingerie, staples of the pre-Code era. "Oh, we're very good on curves," one says while flaunting her body. You get the idea.
I kind of like Charlotte Greenwood, but the desperation of her character for a husband is a bit much. She chases Lahr just like she chases Buster Keaton around in 'Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath' from the same year, with the joke being a combination of her being unappealing and he being unmanly (he also acts effeminate in a prolonged examination from a doctor, that includes him kissing the doctor on the top of the head). Their musical number "It'll Be the First Time for Me" has Greenwood singing about her virginity and Lahr comparing her to a giraffe has zero charm or humor. As lovable as he was trying to be, Lahr just poisons everything he touches here. The film is all over the map really, with a subplot involving Pat O'Brien, an investor in the project who flirts with the daughter of someone he hopes to get money out of it, which didn't do a lot for me either.
I wish this one had focused on Greenwood and let her do more interesting things, or dialed down the silly comedy and amped up the Busby Berkeley. With the exception of few bright moments, it's unenjoyable as it is.
The musical numbers seem strangely glued on, but they're the only reason to watch this film. 'I'll Make a Happy Landing,' has various overhead effects like names being spelled out and charming visual patterns created by the dancers, and 'We'll Dance Until the Dawn' also delivers kaleidoscope patterns, utilizing beautiful costumes. They're both pretty cute. There is some pre-Code naughtiness in one of the numbers, which starts when after a command from a doctor, a group of young smiling women peel off some clothing. "Hooray we gotta strip!" one says, followed by shots of legs and lingerie, staples of the pre-Code era. "Oh, we're very good on curves," one says while flaunting her body. You get the idea.
I kind of like Charlotte Greenwood, but the desperation of her character for a husband is a bit much. She chases Lahr just like she chases Buster Keaton around in 'Parlor, Bedroom, and Bath' from the same year, with the joke being a combination of her being unappealing and he being unmanly (he also acts effeminate in a prolonged examination from a doctor, that includes him kissing the doctor on the top of the head). Their musical number "It'll Be the First Time for Me" has Greenwood singing about her virginity and Lahr comparing her to a giraffe has zero charm or humor. As lovable as he was trying to be, Lahr just poisons everything he touches here. The film is all over the map really, with a subplot involving Pat O'Brien, an investor in the project who flirts with the daughter of someone he hopes to get money out of it, which didn't do a lot for me either.
I wish this one had focused on Greenwood and let her do more interesting things, or dialed down the silly comedy and amped up the Busby Berkeley. With the exception of few bright moments, it's unenjoyable as it is.