If you happen to catch that movie, see it, otherwise, don't kill yourself! It has no plot at all, but I mean AT ALL! Everybody comes and goes to do his bit for posterity but there's no story to link them all together. And the pace is so very slow! In general, let's say it's a nonsensical movie about a nerd woman not interested in college but who tries everything to be the dean of the boys of that college just to end up forgetting the whole thing. And that lasts the whole damned duration of that movie! In between, every actor, some good, some not, come to dance or to sing once or twice and that's about it for "College Swing". In that way, it's a showcase, not a movie.
Betty Grable sings beautifully and sparkles as always. And it is fun to see her do some steps with Jackie Coogan...who doesn't utter one single line! It's a waste of big talents for both of them. A shame! Bob Hope, usually good, is plain boring in that movie. Just the same for Ben Blue, usually funny but here just plain unfunny and uninspired.
George Burns is very low-key and not very important in the plot. Gracie Allen has her moments but, be careful, her voice gets on your nerves. She does one dance sequence very well executed and funny at the same time...but it fades out before it ends properly! For those who don't know her, she's a strange mix of Mary Pickford and Fanny Brice...though I much prefer those last two than Gracie Allen! Edward Everett Horton is rather good while John Payne, besides being very handsome as usual, is not used very effectively here.
In fact, besides Betty Grable, the only one that fares well and much saves the picture all to herself is Martha Raye, always so game to do anything, not bashful for one penny, energetic, brassy, ugly if required...well, a real entertainer! And watch for her song with her mouth full of banana...it had my only laugh for the entire picture.
That pretty much says it all.
Betty Grable sings beautifully and sparkles as always. And it is fun to see her do some steps with Jackie Coogan...who doesn't utter one single line! It's a waste of big talents for both of them. A shame! Bob Hope, usually good, is plain boring in that movie. Just the same for Ben Blue, usually funny but here just plain unfunny and uninspired.
George Burns is very low-key and not very important in the plot. Gracie Allen has her moments but, be careful, her voice gets on your nerves. She does one dance sequence very well executed and funny at the same time...but it fades out before it ends properly! For those who don't know her, she's a strange mix of Mary Pickford and Fanny Brice...though I much prefer those last two than Gracie Allen! Edward Everett Horton is rather good while John Payne, besides being very handsome as usual, is not used very effectively here.
In fact, besides Betty Grable, the only one that fares well and much saves the picture all to herself is Martha Raye, always so game to do anything, not bashful for one penny, energetic, brassy, ugly if required...well, a real entertainer! And watch for her song with her mouth full of banana...it had my only laugh for the entire picture.
That pretty much says it all.