Hi, Nellie! (1934)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Mervyn LeRoy

Writers:

Roy Chanslor (story)
Abem Finkel (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

20 January 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Managing Editor Brad Bradshaw refuses to run a story linking the disappearance of Frank Canfield with embezzlement of the bank...

Plot Keywords:

Editor | Drunkenness | Secretary | Demotion | Politician

Cast

Paul Muni	...	Brad Bradshaw
Glenda Farrell	...	Gerry Krale
Ned Sparks	...	Shammy McClure
Robert Barrat	...	Beau Brownell
Berton Churchill	...	John L. Graham
Kathryn Sergava	...	Grace
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	'Fully' Fullerton
Douglass Dumbrille	...	Harvey Dawes (as Douglas Dumbrille)
Edward Ellis	...	Mr. O'Connell
Paul Kaye	...	Helwig
Donald Meek	...	'Durky' Durkin
Dorothy Le Baire	...	Rosa Marinello (as Dorothy LeBaire)
Marjorie Gateson	...	Mrs. Frank J. Canfield
George Meeker	...	Jimmy Sheldon
Harold Huber	...	Leo

Runtime:

75 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2645-R, 3 September 1936 for re-release)

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Famed columnist Sidney Skolsky has a brief scene emerging from a telephone booth and conversing with 'Ned Sparks', who calls him "Skolsky".

Movie Connections:

Version of Love Is on the Air (1937)

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.