Hi, Nellie! (1934)

Managing Editor Brad Bradshaw refuses to run a story linking the disappearance of Frank Canfield with embezzlement of the bank. He considers Frank a straight shooter and he goes easy on the... See full summary »

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Abem Finkel (screen play), Sidney Sutherland (screen play),

Stars:

Paul Muni, Glenda Farrell, Ned Sparks

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Muni	...	Brad
Glenda Farrell	...	Gerry
Ned Sparks	...	Shammy
Robert Barrat	...	Brownell
Berton Churchill	...	Graham
Kathryn Sergava	...	Grace
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Fullerton
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Dawes (as Douglas Dumbrille)
Edward Ellis	...	O'Connell
Paul Kaye	...	Helwig
Donald Meek	...	Durkin
Dorothy Le Baire	...	Rosa Marinello (as Dorothy LeBaire)
Marjorie Gateson	...	Canfield
George Meeker	...	Sheldon
Harold Huber	...	Leo

Storyline

Managing Editor Brad Bradshaw refuses to run a story linking the disappearance of Frank Canfield with embezzlement of the bank. He considers Frank a straight shooter and he goes easy on the story. Every other paper goes with the story that Frank took the money and Brad is demoted, by the publisher, to the Heartthrob column - writing advice to the lovelorn. After feeling sorry for himself for two months, he takes the column seriously and makes it the talk of the town. But Brad still wants his old job back so he will have to find Canfield and the missing money.

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Plot Keywords:

editor | secretary | new york city | photographer | bank failure | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 1934 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'imprevisto

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Vitaphone Corporation, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Song "Hi Nellie" was written for the movie, since the published sheet music has pictures of Paul Muni and Glenda Farrell on its cover. It was not sung, but probably was played at the Merry Go Round Club.

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Connections

Version of The House Across the Street (1949)

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Soundtracks

"Hi, Nellie"
(1934) (uncredited)
Music by Allie Wrubel
Played during the opening credits and at the end
Also played when Shammy spots Sheldon at the Merry Go Round Club

User Reviews

Rapid-Fire Newsroom Comedy

Forced to write the Heartthrobs column, the former managing editor of a big city paper finds himself exposing a story of murder & political corruption.

Fast-moving & fun, HI, NELLIE! is another example of the comedy crime picture that Warner Brothers was so expert at producing. Casts & plots could be shuffled endlessly, with very predictable results. While this assembly line approach created few classics, audience enjoyment could usually be assured. Here, the look & feel of the paper's busy newsroom is smack on the mark and the performances, even with a script that's too plot heavy, never fail to entertain.

Consummate actor Paul Muni gets a rare chance at comedy here and pulls it off brilliantly, adding just the right amount of drama from time to time. Whether he's trashing his office in a fury, fighting with his boss or going nonchalantly into the headquarters of the enemy to collect information, Muni is never less than fascinating. He is teamed with the equally watchable Glenda Farrell, playing another one of her hard-boiled dames with a heart of gold. It is obvious from the script that their two characters were once lovers, but refreshingly no time is wasted with rekindling the flames - they are just chums, wary & respectful. Their unromantic chemistry adds much to the fun of the film.

A fine cast of character actors helps move the story along. Ned Sparks plays his usual acerbic self as an investigative reporter loyal to Muni. Little Donald Meek is equally good as an aged office clerk who provides assistance on the hectic news floor for Muni & Farrell. Berton Churchill as the paper's publisher & Douglass Dumbrille as Muni's rival both score in their roles.

Robert Barrat, Harold Huber & Edward Ellis all play dangerous bad guys who must be dealt with. Frank Reicher, fresh from his double stint as the captain in the KONG movies, here plays a none-to-savvy lawyer.

Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited John Qualen as a tenement custodian.