Music Is Magic (1935)

Aging star (Daniels) finally recognizes the truth when she is replaced in her new movie by a girl from the chorus (Faye).

Director:

George Marshall

Writers:

Edward Eliscu (screenplay), Lou Breslow (screenplay),

Stars:

Alice Faye, Ray Walker, Bebe Daniels

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Alice Faye	...	Peggy Harper
Ray Walker	...	Jack Lambert
Bebe Daniels	...	Diane De Valle
Frank Mitchell	...	Peanuts Harper (as Mitchell and Durant)
Jack Durant	...	Eddie Harper (as Mitchell and Durant)
Rosina Lawrence	...	Shirley De Valle
Thomas Beck	...	Tony Bennett
Andrew Tombes	...	Ben Pomeroy
Luis Alberni	...	Señor Castellano - Cafe Proprietor
Hattie McDaniel	...	Hattie (Amanda in credits) (as Hattie McDaniels)

Storyline

Vaudevillians supporting the musical efforts of aging Hollywood star Diane de Valle decide to head for Tinseltown themselves when de Valle's high salary and low drawing power cancel the revue. Managing to land roles in a de Valle musical movie, perky Peggy is rescued from the chorus line by the tricks of her boyfriend Jack, who uses bravado to usurp de Valle's role in favor of Peggy, who is more suited to the bouncy musical.

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Plot Keywords:

hollywood | based on play

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Taglines:

WHEN YOU'RE NOT CHEERING THE MUSIC, YOU'RE LAUGHING AT THE FUN! (original poster-all caps)

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Genres:

Drama | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

La magia de la música

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

66 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the last American screen appearance of Bebe Daniels, who, in 1910, began playing child parts at the age of nine. Post Hollywood, she would act in just five English films released from 1936 to 1955. In all of these features but one, The Return of Carol Deane, Miss Daniels co-starred with her husband and partner on British records, radio and television, 'Ben Lyon'.

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Soundtracks

"La Locumba"
Sung by Alice Faye
Words and Music by Raul Roulien
English Lyrics by Sidney Clare

User Reviews

Alice&Bebe Are Magic

Although this film was to feature Fox Film's rising star Alice Faye, the film is stolen by Bebe Daniels who plays a very vain film star who refuses to transition with age into older roles. In fact she's guilty of one piece of unbelievable vanity which I won't tell, but it's a masquerade the paparazzi would never let anyone get away with today.

Alice is part of a trio that also includes comics Frank Mitchell and Jack Durant, but they concede she's the real heart of the act. Still that doesn't mean they haven't a long way to climb up the heights of Hollywood. The film is about their effort to do so.

The title of the film is also the title of the film within the film that Daniels is starring in and that Faye is part of the chorus. It's also the title of the song that Daniels is stinking up the screen by doing it in operetta style. Alice who recorded the song in her brief stint on vinyl does a whole lot better.

Bebe Daniels must have been a person of generous spirit to allow herself to play a part where she gets some rough going. This was her last American production. Right after this was done, Bebe followed her husband Ben Lyons over across the pond where they became the most popular expatriate couple that the United Kingdom knew and loved for over 30 years.

Faye's in good voice and does well, but Daniels really steals the show. Also Hattie McDaniel is there as another ego deflating maid.