For the sake of a lucrative radio contract, John Barrymore agrees to turn bandleader Kay Kyser into a Shakespearian actor.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Kay Kyser | ... |
Kay Kyser
|
|
| John Barrymore | ... |
John Barrymore
|
|
| Lupe Velez | ... |
Carmen del Toro
|
|
| Ginny Simms | ... |
Ginny Simms
|
|
| May Robson | ... |
Grandma Kyser
|
|
| Patsy Kelly | ... |
Lulu Monahan
|
|
| Peter Lind Hayes | ... |
Peter Lindsay
|
|
| Kay Kyser Band | ... |
Kay Kyser's Band
(as Kay Kyser's Band)
|
|
| Harry Babbitt | ... |
Harry Babbitt
|
|
| M.A. Bogue | ... |
Ish Kabibble
(as Ish Kabibble)
|
|
| Sully Mason | ... |
Sully Mason
|
|
| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Dorothy Babb | ... |
Autograph Girl (uncredited)
|
|
| Leon Belasco | ... |
Prince Maharoohu (uncredited)
|
|
| Joseph E. Bernard | ... |
Thomas (uncredited)
|
|
 |
William Brandt | ... |
Member The Guardsmen (uncredited)
|
|
|
Jack Carr | ... |
Pee Wee (uncredited)
|
|
|
Bill Cartledge | ... |
Page Boy (uncredited)
|
| Hobart Cavanaugh | ... |
Philip Tremble (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Bill Chaney | ... |
Call Boy (uncredited)
|
| George Cleveland | ... |
Nelson Pennypacker (uncredited)
|
|
| Ray Cooke | ... |
Bellhop with Food (uncredited)
|
|
| Alice Fleming | ... |
Penelope Pennypacker (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Jerry Frank | ... |
John Barton (uncredited)
|
|
|
Jack Gargan | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
|
|
|
The Guardsmen | ... |
Singers (uncredited)
|
| Vinton Hayworth | ... |
Radio Commentator (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Earl Hunsaker | ... |
Member of The Guardsmen (uncredited)
|
|
|
Henry Iblings | ... |
Member of The Guardsmen (uncredited)
|
|
|
Dudley Kuzelle | ... |
Member of The Guardsmen (uncredited)
|
|
|
Grace Lenard | ... |
Madeline (uncredited)
|
|
|
Jewel McGowan | ... |
Lindy Dancer (uncredited)
|
|
|
George McKay | ... |
1st Taxi Driver (uncredited)
|
| Bert Moorhouse | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
|
|
| Barry Norton | ... |
Rhumba Dancer (uncredited)
|
|
| Sally Payne | ... |
Gloria (uncredited)
|
|
| Marshall Ruth | ... |
Comedy Bull Team Member (uncredited)
|
|
|
|
Rube Schaffer | ... |
Masseur (uncredited)
|
| Glenn Strange | ... |
Western Actor (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
|
|
|
|
Fred Trowbridge | ... |
Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
|
|
|
Wally Walker | ... |
Comedy Bull Team Member (uncredited)
|
| Dave Willock | ... |
Tommy (uncredited)
|
|
| Marie Windsor | ... |
Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
|
|
Directed by
| David Butler | ||
Written by
| James V. Kern | ... | (screen play) |
| James V. Kern | ... | (story) & |
| M.M. Musselman | ... | (story) |
| Arthur Phillips | ... | (additional dialogue) |
Produced by
| David Butler | ... | producer |
Music by
| Roy Webb | ... | (uncredited) |
Cinematography by
| Frank Redman | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Irene Morra | ||
Editorial Department
| Douglas Travers | ... | montage |
Art Direction by
| Carroll Clark | ||
| Albert S. D'Agostino | ... | (as Albert D'Agostino) |
Set Decoration by
| Darrell Silvera | ||
Costume Design by
| Edward Stevenson | ... | (gowns) |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Fred Fleck | ... | assistant director (as Fred A. Fleck) |
Sound Department
| Earl A. Wolcott | ... | sound recordist |
Special Effects by
| Vernon L. Walker | ... | special effects |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Eugene Joseff | ... | costume jeweller (uncredited) |
Music Department
| Johnny Burke | ... | songwriter: lyrics |
| George Duning | ... | musical arranger |
| Jimmy Van Heusen | ... | songwriter: music (as James Van Heusen) |
| Roy Webb | ... | musical director |
Additional Crew
| Jack Crosby | ... | dance stager |
| Herbert Farjeon | ... | dialogue director (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- RKO Radio Pictures (1941) (United States) (theatrical)
- RKO Distributing Corporation of Canada (1941) (Canada) (theatrical)
- RKO Radio Pictures (1942) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- RKO Pictures (Australasia) (1942) (Australia) (theatrical)
- C&C Television Corporation (1955) (United States) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2012) (United States) (DVD) (dvdr)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- RCA (sound system)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Lulu Monahan (Patsy Kelly), the press agent for John Barrymore (John Barrymore),is attempting to get a sponsor for a radio program. To that end, she and the agent for bandleader Kay Kyser (Kay Kyser), plant a story that the great Shakespearean actor, over his heartfelt objections, will teach Kyser how to play Shakespeare, which isn't the same as playing Paducah, which soon becomes evident. Highlights are the singing of Ginny Simms and a rumba by Lupe Velez; lowlights already cited.
Written by Les Adams |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | RATTLE MAH CURLS AN' DANCE ON A DIME! -It's rompin', stompin' time with KAY KYSER (Print Ad- St. Joseph Gazette, ((St. Joseph, Mo.)) 12 January 1942) See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
| Certification |
|
Additional Details
| Also Known As |
|
| Runtime |
|
| Country | |
| Language | |
| Color | |
| Aspect Ratio |
|
| Sound Mix | |
| Filming Locations |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | This film contains the only screen footage of John Barrymore reciting Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy. See more » |
| Goofs | When Carmen throws the knife at John and Lulu, the wire used is clearly visible, and a small hole where it sticks in the wall is already present. See more » |
| Movie Connections | References Twentieth Century (1934). See more » |
| Soundtracks | How Long Did I Dream See more » |
| Crazy Credits | The letters in the credits appear to be done in ribbon, and director David Butler's name is formed by a live-action of the film being reversed as the ribbon is pulled away. See more » |
| Quotes |
Nelson Pennypacker:
I agree with you. Barrymore's a great actor. Lulu Monahan: Oh, you can say that again. And when he's on the air for you, he'll sell more of your Vitamin L tablets... Nelson Pennypacker: Not Vitamin L, Vitamin A! Lulu Monahan: Well, they taste like L to me. Ha ha ha! Some joke, huh? See more » |