Hit Parade of 1941 (1940)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

John H. Auer

Writers:

Bradford Ropes (original screenplay) and
F. Hugh Herbert (original screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 October 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

HIT TUNES - "In the Cool of the Evening" - "Make Yourself at Home" - "Sing Low, Sweet Rhythm" - "Who Am I"

Plot:

A small radio station is saved of getting bankrupt by a backer, who invests money for a TV equipment...

Plot Keywords:

Radio | Television | Trading Post | Radio Station | Equipment

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Kenny Baker	...	David Farraday
Frances Langford	...	Pat Abbott
Hugh Herbert	...	Ferdinand Farraday
Mary Boland	...	Emily Potter
Ann Miller	...	Anabelle Potter
Patsy Kelly	...	Judy Abbott
Phil Silvers	...	Charlie Moore
Sterling Holloway	...	Soda Clerk
Donald MacBride	...	Harrison
Barnett Parker	...	Mr. Pasley
Franklin Pangborn	...	Carter
Six Hits and a Miss	...	Singing Group
Borrah Minevitch and His Harmonica Rascals	...	Harmonica Band
Borrah Minevitch	...	Borrah Minevitch, Harmonica Rascals Leader
Jan Garber	...	Jan Garber, Band Leader

Also Known As:

Romance and Rhythm (USA) (reissue title)

Runtime:

88 min | USA:60 min (1953 re-release)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved

Company:

Republic Pictures (I)

Soundtrack:

Who Am I?

1940's "B" Musical gets an A+ Rating!

Ho-Hum, another "B" musical from the 1940's. Right away you just know it's silly and stupid. What a waste of good film! Unfortunately a lot of people are ready to apply these tags upon seeing the title and the year. I feel sorry for people like that because they are missing out on some wonderful films with very talented actors and actresses.

Hit Parade of 1941 stars the beautiful and utterly charming Frances Langford and the smooth voiced Kenny Baker as the girl and boy who find love. Film veterans Hugh Herbert, Mary Boland, Phil Silvers, Patsy Kelly, Donald MacBride, Sterling Holloway and Ann Miller in her first film add their support and strength to make this a real ensemble piece. The pacing of this movie is superb, it moves right along from one situation to another. The score and the song, the beautiful "Who Am I" were nominated for Academy Awards. They should have won! Is it too late to demand a recount? Frances Langford sings "Who Am I" first as a lovely duet with Kenny Baker, and then Frances does it as a solo in that wonderful dreamy voice of hers. Words cannot describe the honeyed voice of this gorgeous woman. By all means see this movie if you can, and make sure it's not the edited version. You don't want to miss a second of this charming movie. Of course it's all a matter of opinion, if you don't like 40's music and musicals you won't like this one...or will you?