Let's Make Music (1941)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Leslie Goodwins

Writer:

Nathanael West (writer)

Release Date:

17 January 1941 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music | Romance

Plot:

With the size of her classes dwindling each year, Newton High music teacher Malvina Adams is asked to retire...

Plot Keywords:

Bandleader | New York | Student | Music Teacher | Nightclub

Cast

Bob Crosby	...	Himself
Jean Rogers	...	Abby Adams
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Malvina Adams
Joseph Buloff	...	Joe Bellah
Joyce Compton	...	Betty
Benny Bartlett	...	Tommy (as Bennie Bartlett)
Louis Jean Heydt	...	Mr. Stevens
Bill Goodwin	...	Himself - Crosby's Announcer
Frank Orth	...	Mr. Botts
Grant Withers	...	Headwaiter
Walter Tetley	...	Eddie, an Office Boy
Benny Rubin	...	Music Publisher
Gale Sherwood	...	High School Singer (as Jacqueline Nash)
Donna Jean Dolfer	...	Donna, the Pianist

Runtime:

84 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #6703)

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Soundtrack:

You Forgot About Me

A Feel-Good Movie to watch with or without your grandmother.

And I don't mean that in a bad way. This slowly-paced story is just the right kind of entertainment to watch as you're going to bed--or on one of those days you choose no to GET out of bed. This was long before every older person in movies had to be either cantankerous or full of spunk. Elisabeth Risdon's ready-to-retire teacher is that rarity of movie characters--one who actually is allowed to act her age. (For an even better film with just such a performance, check out Dame May Witty in "The Lady Vanishes".) The plot concerns a music teacher who writes a corny song for her school, only to have it somehow fall into the hands of a musician who makes a hit novelty recording out of it. What happens to her after that is best left for the viewer to discover, but suffice to say it is rather a music but not all that exciting in the long run. There's some potential romance with the main character's stuffy daughter, but mostly the film hinges on Risdon, and it's nice to see her in a lead role after years of almost anonymous character acting.

I found this movie just flipping channels and enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone curious about checking it out for light--very light--entertainment. (And if you're reading this, that's probably you.)