New Faces of 1937 (1937)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Leigh Jason

Writers:

George Bradshaw (story) &
David Freedman (sketch "A Day at the Brokers") ...

Release Date:

2 July 1937 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

A new show idea sweeps the screen!

Plot:

A crooked producer tries to link his backers by producing a flop and disapearing with the money. Patricia...

Plot Keywords:

Chorus Girl | Musical Revue | Jealousy | George Washington Bridge | Poker Game

Cast

Joe Penner	...	Seymore Seymore
Milton Berle	...	Wallington 'Wally' Wedge
Harry Parke	...	Parkyakarkus 'Parky' (as Parkyakarkus)
Harriet Hilliard	...	Patricia 'Pat' Harrington
William Brady	...	James 'Jimmy' Thompson
Jerome Cowan	...	Robert Hunt
Thelma Leeds	...	Elaine Dorset
Lorraine Krueger	...	Suzy
Tommy Mack	...	Judge Hugo Straight, Conductor
Bert Gordon	...	Count Mischa Moody
Patricia Wilder	...	Pat, Hunt's Secretary
Richard Lane	...	Harry Barnes, Broker
Dudley Clements	...	Plunkett, Stage Manager
William Corson	...	Assistant Stage Manager
George Rosener	...	Peter, Stage Doorman

Also Known As:

Young People (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Approved (PCA #3251)

Company:

Edward Small Productions

Trivia:

RKO planned to do a sequel, "New Faces of 1938", but dropped the idea when this movie was not received very well.

Soundtrack:

New Faces

Mel Brooks' Inspiration

In this film, Jerome Cowan plays a seedy producer who would rather have flops than hits. Why? He sells more than 100% of the show to his investors. Does this plot sound familiar? This is the basic plot of Mel Brooks' classic "The Producers". However, this film was made 30 years earlier! Now "New Faces" is not nearly as funny or inventive as "The Producers". The plot is only there to hold together the various musical numbers, comedy sketches, and specialty acts which make up the film. By the middle of the film, Cowan has left his show in the hands of young Milton Berle, because Cowan's girlfriend is about to rat him out to his investors. Berle fixes the show.

"New Faces" is filled with 1930s comedians. Joe "Wanna Buy a Duck" Penner is top billed, but it is Milton Berle who really drives the film. Due to his caustic personality and "anything for a laugh" attitude, people tend to discount Berle's comedic abilities. He is truly funny in this film and it is his best cinema showcase until "Always Leave Then Laughing". Also on hand are Harry Einstein (Parkyakarkus)(the father of Albert Brooks and "Super Dave" Bob Einstein), and Bert "The Mad Russian" Gordon. Harriet Nelson, this time without Ozzie, is the leading lady. Teenage Ann Miller has a specialty number. The film also presents various '30s vaudeville performers doing their routines.

"New Faces" is not a great film, but it is certainly enjoyable. I wonder how many times Mel Brooks saw this film!