Life Begins in College (1937)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Don Ettlinger (writer)
Ray Golden (writer)

Release Date:

1 October 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

When a wealthy Indian student endows the college so they can keep the football coach rumor has it the...

Plot Keywords:

American Football

Cast

Al Ritz	...	Al Ritz
Harry Ritz	...	Harry Ritz
Jimmy Ritz	...	Jimmy Ritz
Joan Davis	...	Inez
Tony Martin	...	Band Leader
Gloria Stuart	...	Janet O'Hara
Fred Stone	...	Coach Tim O'Hara
Nat Pendleton	...	George Black
Dick Baldwin	...	Bob Hayner
Joan Marsh	...	Cuddles
Jed Prouty	...	Oliver Stearns Sr.
Maurice Cass	...	Dean Moss
Ed Thorgersen	...	Radio Announcer
Marjorie Weaver	...	Miss Murphy
Robert Lowery	...	Sling

Also Known As:

Life Begins at College (USA) (TV title)
The Joy Parade (UK)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Soundtrack:

Why Talk About Love?

Ritz Brothers Underused Again

Too often the Ritz boys were not allowed to just let loose and run away with a picture like other comedy teams of the time. Even as headliners in this one, they are not really given the chance to shine as characters. In "Life", they are three college-campus tailors who befriend an American Indian who shows up as a freshman and is promptly abused by his classmates.

Fans of the politically correct steer clear, as this film does not treat Native Americans with a whole lot of respect. The first shot of the film is a sign identifying the college as a school for American Indians. A girl says, "I've never seen an Indian here". An older gentleman replies, "Oh the school was started for Indians, but they have schools on reservations now. A few years back an Indian tried to go here, but of course we ran him out!" Enter Nat Pendleton as the latest Indian, nearly running folks over on his motorcycle.

But back to the Ritzes. They get three specialty song and dance numbers entirely unrelated to the plot. Some good crazy dancing. One or two funny scenes otherwise. Meanwhile the leading man is entirely unlikeable and a bad actor to boot, so we don't even root for him to get the girl. Tony Martin has what amounts to a cameo. Joan Davis fans will be pleased.