I wouldn't call this a musical comedy. It's a comedy with musical interludes. The goal is not to build to the next song, but to show how music is part of everyone's lives. Dancing is also part of their lives. And so is something else...golf. Yes, golf.
Robert Montgomery plays a shipping clerk who is nearly fired one day, except that his boss (J. C. Nugent) discovers he's a whiz on the greens. Nugent needs to improve on his game to do better against his pals at the local country club. So he gives Montgomery a chance to redeem himself by going to the club with him in the hopes of getting a few quick lessons. Of course, things don't go too smoothly. Montgomery and a coworker (Benny Rubin) who tags along as a caddy soon get into all sorts of zany situations.
While most of the physical comedy routines are given to Rubin to perform, Mr. Montgomery also has several moments to shine. He's convincing in the film's more athletic scenes, and he makes some excellent drives along the golf course that do not seem be done by a double. Montgomery also gets to burst into song when the occasion calls for it, and as always, he has plenty of romantic scenes to play...in this case, with lovely costar Dorothy Jordan.
MGM had previously filmed Vincent Lawrence's play 'Spring Fever' in 1927 as a silent comedy starring William Haines and Joan Crawford. Three years is a fast turnaround for a remake, particularly since Haines and Crawford were both still under contract. They had scored a huge hit with the material which even audiences with short memories would surely have remembered. Some of the antics Haines did in the earlier film are toned down, and a few supporting characters have been dropped. Also, a secondary love story is given considerably less screen time in the remake which means less complications for the main couple.
The story's central conflict, if we can call it that, is about whether Montgomery will be able to win a tournament. And also whether or not people at the club will realize he's not the Aristocrat they think he is. Along the way he and Jordan have a rushed wedding, but during their honeymoon night in a cheap hotel, he explains how he cannot afford anything more expensive. Surprisingly, she doesn't dump him...though it certainly helps when her dad shows up the next morning and encourages her to stay married, since Montgomery is such a pro golfer and it would be good to have one of them in the family.
This is a harmless piece of fluff that makes you feel better after watching it. I was surprised at how many scenes were filmed on location. It doesn't feel like the typical studio talkie. And Robert Montgomery gives such a breezy delightful performance alongside Jordan, Rubin and Nugent, you can't help but want to check out more of his MGM films from this period.
Robert Montgomery plays a shipping clerk who is nearly fired one day, except that his boss (J. C. Nugent) discovers he's a whiz on the greens. Nugent needs to improve on his game to do better against his pals at the local country club. So he gives Montgomery a chance to redeem himself by going to the club with him in the hopes of getting a few quick lessons. Of course, things don't go too smoothly. Montgomery and a coworker (Benny Rubin) who tags along as a caddy soon get into all sorts of zany situations.
While most of the physical comedy routines are given to Rubin to perform, Mr. Montgomery also has several moments to shine. He's convincing in the film's more athletic scenes, and he makes some excellent drives along the golf course that do not seem be done by a double. Montgomery also gets to burst into song when the occasion calls for it, and as always, he has plenty of romantic scenes to play...in this case, with lovely costar Dorothy Jordan.
MGM had previously filmed Vincent Lawrence's play 'Spring Fever' in 1927 as a silent comedy starring William Haines and Joan Crawford. Three years is a fast turnaround for a remake, particularly since Haines and Crawford were both still under contract. They had scored a huge hit with the material which even audiences with short memories would surely have remembered. Some of the antics Haines did in the earlier film are toned down, and a few supporting characters have been dropped. Also, a secondary love story is given considerably less screen time in the remake which means less complications for the main couple.
The story's central conflict, if we can call it that, is about whether Montgomery will be able to win a tournament. And also whether or not people at the club will realize he's not the Aristocrat they think he is. Along the way he and Jordan have a rushed wedding, but during their honeymoon night in a cheap hotel, he explains how he cannot afford anything more expensive. Surprisingly, she doesn't dump him...though it certainly helps when her dad shows up the next morning and encourages her to stay married, since Montgomery is such a pro golfer and it would be good to have one of them in the family.
This is a harmless piece of fluff that makes you feel better after watching it. I was surprised at how many scenes were filmed on location. It doesn't feel like the typical studio talkie. And Robert Montgomery gives such a breezy delightful performance alongside Jordan, Rubin and Nugent, you can't help but want to check out more of his MGM films from this period.