Manhattan Merry-Go-Round (1937)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Charles Reisner

Writers:

Frank Hummert (musical revue)
Harry Sauber (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 November 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Plot:

Gangsters take control of a record company and use toughguy tactics on unwilling performers. |

Plot Keywords:

Gangster | Threat | Nightclub | Radio Broadcasting | World Series

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Phil Regan	...	Jerry Hart
Leo Carrillo	...	Tony Gordoni
Ann Dvorak	...	Ann Rogers
Tamara Geva	...	Charlizzini
James Gleason	...	Danny The Duck
Ted Lewis and His Orchestra	...	Themselves
Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra	...	Themselves
Kay Thompson and Her Ensemble	...	Themselves
Joe DiMaggio	...	Himself - the Baseball Player (as Joe Di Maggio)
Henry Armetta	...	Spadoni
Luis Alberni	...	Martinetti
Max Terhune	...	Himself - the Ventriloquist
Smiley Burnette	...	Frog - Accordian Player
Louis Prima and His Band	...	Themselves
Gene Autry	...	Himself - the Cowboy Star

Also Known As:

Manhattan Music Box (UK)

Runtime:

USA:89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor High Fidelity Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #3734)

Filming Locations:

Biograph Studios, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Republic Pictures (I)

Trivia:

It was while appearing as a guest star in this film that Joe DiMaggio first met his future wife, actress-dancer Dorothy Arnold, who was also appearing in it as a member of the chorus.

Quotes:

Danny The Duck: I can land enough talent in your lap to entertain the world.
Tony Gordoni: Yes, but I don't want them in my lap. I never mix business with pleasure.
Danny The Duck: Don't take me illiterately!

Movie Connections:

Featured in It's Black Entertainment (2002) (TV)

Soundtrack:

I Owe You

Joe DiMaggio, stick to your day job

I can enjoy a truly brainless musical if it has some snappy songs and an interesting cast. "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round" is a brainless movie with a few dull songs, and guest appearances by celebrities who (mostly) don't show up long enough to do anything interesting. Some great character actors are in this film (James Gleason, Luis Alberni, Moroni Olsen): they've given wonderful performances in other movies, but in "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round" they merely go through the motions.

Here's the plot: some deeze-dem-doze gangsters take over a record company (WHY?), and they strong-arm several celebrities into making recordings. The head gangster is played by Leo Carrillo, who usually played funny crooks. In this movie, he isn't funny. The gangsters manage to round up some interesting "guest stars" to perform for their record company, including Cab Calloway, Louis Prima, Gene Autry and cowboy comedian Max Terhune. All these lads are solid show-biz professionals, but in "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round" none of them do anything interesting. Cab Calloway was usually a dynamic performer, but in this movie he's almost comatose.

The one and only interesting scene in this movie occurs when the gangsters kidnap Joe DiMaggio, of all people. They prop him in front of a microphone, and force him at gunpoint to sing "Have You Ever Been Lonely?" (An interesting choice of song for the future husband of Marilyn Monroe.) DiMaggio wasn't much of an actor, and this movie proves he's no singer. Joltin' Joe croaks his way slowly and painfully through his big number. It's fascinating to watch and listen to Joe DiMaggio's performance ... but fascinating only in the way that a train wreck is fascinating.

Some musicals are so inept, they become enjoyable on an "Ed Wood" so-bad-it's-good level. "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round" is just awful. Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio? Nowhere near this film, I hope. I'm rating this movie one point out of 10 ... it would be batting .000 without DiMaggio's weird performance.