Man About Town (1939)

Director:

Mark Sandrich

Writers:

Zion Myers (story)
Morrie Ryskind (screenplay)

Release Date:

7 July 1939 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Plot:

Producer Bob Temple, who's brought an American show to London, loves his star Diana, but she won't take him seriously as a lover...

Plot Keywords:

Revue | Comedian | Infidelity | Beautiful Woman | London England

Cast

Jack Benny	...	Bob Temple
Dorothy Lamour	...	Diana Wilson
Edward Arnold	...	Sir John Arlington
Binnie Barnes	...	Lady Arlington
Monty Woolley	...	Henri Dubois
Isabel Jeans	...	Mme. Dubois
Phil Harris	...	Ted Nash
Betty Grable	...	Susan Hayes
E.E. Clive	...	Hotchkiss, Arlington's Butler
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson	...	Rochester (as Eddie Anderson)
Merriel Abbott Dancers	...	Themselves, The Merriel Abbott Dancers
Matty Malneck	...	Matty Malneck, Orchestra Leader (as Matty Malneck and His Orchestra)
Matty Malneck's Orchestra	...	Matty Malneck's Orchestra
The Pina Troupe	...	Themselves, The Pina Troupe

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Originally, this film was to feature Betty Grable opposite Jack Benny in the role of Diana Wilson, but because of appendicitis, she had to be replaced by Dorothy Lamour. Betty recovered in time, however, to contribute a song with Phil Harris (to which Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson danced), "Fidgety Joe" (music by Matty Malneck, lyrics by Frank Loesser).

Goofs:

Continuity: Susan's hair style changes just before she leaves the house party.

Quotes:

Bob Temple: Use a little imagination, Rochester. What would you order if you wanted to make an impression?
Rochester: How about fish and chips and a couple of bottles of gin?

Soundtrack:

THAT SENTIMENTAL SANDWICH

Weak comedy with forgettable songs.

This is a pretty weak effort from Benny and the team. Jack and Rochester try but the material is so unfunny that they don't get very far. Rochester's two dance numbers are the highlights - and Benny's attempt at being a member of an acrobatic troupe is very funny. The rest is pretty dull with some bad casting (Edward Arnold as an English Lord?) and really bad musical numbers. Benny's show would never have made it to Hoboken, let alone London - the songs are just awful. No wonder there are only about twenty in the audience - I guess they were saving on extras. Dorothy Lamour looks bored, but Betty Grable provides a bit of life in a small but memorable role. Also good is E.E. Clive as a butler. And what a fizzer of an ending - it doesn't even make sense.