Thanks a Million (1935)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Roy Del Ruth

Writer:

Nunnally Johnson (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 November 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Plot:

Entertainers enter a political rally to get out of the rain and become part of the show. One of them...

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Speech | Governor | Political Corruption | Election

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Dick Powell	...	Eric Land
Ann Dvorak	...	Sally Mason
Fred Allen	...	Ned Lyman
Patsy Kelly	...	Phoebe Mason
Paul Whiteman and Orchestra	...	Band (as Paul Whiteman and Band)
Ramona	...	Specialty
Raymond Walburn	...	Judge Culliman
David Rubinoff	...	Violinist (as Rubinoff)
The Yacht Club Boys	...	Singing Quartet (as Yacht Club Boys)
Benny Baker	...	Tammany
Andrew Tombes	...	Mr. Grass
Alan Dinehart	...	Mr. Gilbert Kruger
Paul Harvey	...	Mr. Joe Maxwell
Edwin Maxwell	...	Mr. Casey
Margaret Irving	...	Mrs. Kay Kruger

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #1545) | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Company:

20th Century Pictures

Trivia:

This was the first feature film of The Yacht Club Boys, Fred Allen and Margaret Irving.

Goofs:

Continuity: Position of Eric's trench coat collar changes between long-shots and close-ups when Sally and Eric plan an excursion from the remainder of their troupe and the politicians.

Movie Connections:

Remade as If I'm Lucky (1946)

Soundtrack:

Sittin' on a Hilltop

Showbiz and politics

What a novel idea, have a talented group of entertainers be the opening number in political campaign rallies for a candidate to office. Which is what Ned Lyman discovers, as he and his troupe appear in a small auditorium where a political speech is to be given later on at the same theater by the candidate for governor of the state, Judge Culliman. Mixing theater people with politicians will appeal to voters, or so Ned thinks. The Judge in his run for governor of the state hasn't elicited much sympathy. Add to that a drinking problem and Ned sees a great opportunity.

Ned Lyman is a resourceful man that sees an angle in which keep the company he has assembled together and precede the aspiring candidate's spiel to the crowd. Since Judge Culliman can't get it together, Ned appeals to his star crooner, Eric Land, to read the speech to the audience. The singer becomes a hit and what's more, the political machinery behind the campaign see in him a person that can be manipulated. Are they in for a surprise!

"Thanks a Million" is a delightful comedy with music directed by Roy Del Ruth. Dick Powell, who appears as Eric Land at the height of his singing career is the best thing in the movie. Equally effective is Mel Allen, the radio personality in a rare screen appearances. Ann Dvorak is seen as Eric's love interest, and Patsy Kelly is a singer with the company and Ned's girl.

The film is entertaining as well as has an important message as the end when Eric Land unmask all the people that thought they could use him for their own personal gain.