Rise and Shine (1941)

Stupid football player is kidnapped by gangsters. Lunatics abound: former footballer now dancer, professor interested in magic, gangster who makes horse noises when excited.

Director:

Allan Dwan

Writers:

James Thurber (story), Herman J. Mankiewicz (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Oakie, George Murphy, Linda Darnell

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Oakie	...	Boley Bolenciecwcz
George Murphy	...	Jimmy McGonigle
Linda Darnell	...	Louise Murray
Walter Brennan	...	Grandpa
Milton Berle	...	Seabiscuit
Sheldon Leonard	...	Menace
Donald Meek	...	Professor Philip Murray
Ruth Donnelly	...	Mame Bacon
Raymond Walburn	...	Colonel Bacon
Donald MacBride	...	Coach Graham
Emma Dunn	...	Mrs. Murray
Charles Waldron	...	President
Mildred Gover	...	Mrs. Robertson
William Haade	...	Butch
Dick Rich	...	Gogo

Storyline

Stupid football player is kidnapped by gangsters. Lunatics abound: former footballer now dancer, professor interested in magic, gangster who makes horse noises when excited.

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Plot Keywords:

professor | football | magic | gangster | player | 

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Taglines:

A COLLEGIATE CARNIVAL of ROMANCE, MELODY and MADNESS! (original print media ad - mostly caps)

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Musical | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 1941 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Bamba da Pelota

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"I'm Making A Play For You"
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Music by Ralph Rainger

User Reviews

A Pass On Academics

I doubt that James Thurber would recognize his story from this film and Thurber purists would protest about Rise And Shine. But taken on its own merits this is one funny film with its centerpiece Jack Oakie once again playing his patented lunkhead college football player which he started portraying back with College Humor.

Clayton College seems to have one reason for existence, its football team built around Oakie who gets along with all the other football players the pass on academics. Check out the scene where he's taking a final in order to keep his eligibility. But more than the college have a vested interest in Oakie.

Gambler and nightclub owner Sheldon Leonard has some heavy money he wants to lay down so he sends one of his entertainers George Murphy out to the small town where Clayton College is to keep tabs on Oakie. In doing so, Murphy, Raymond Walburn, and Ruth Donnelly move next door to where Oakie is staying.

Oakie is domiciled at Professor Donald Meek's house with Meek's lovely cheerleader daughter Linda Darnell and her Grandpa Walter Brennan. Of course Murphy and Darnell fall for each other. And of course Leonard shows his hand as he tries to keep Oakie from the big game.

By the way Oakie in addition to academics seems to suffer from narcolepsy. That's quite the challenge for all concerned.

Outside of any number of Frank Capra films I doubt you will come across a cast as rich in colorful supporting players as in Rise And Shine. Look at the ones I've already mentioned and in addition to them Donald MacBride as the choleric football coach, William Haade as a dumb henchman, Paul Harvey as the always interfering alumni booster, and even a young Milton Berle as another Leonard flunky who has a laugh like a horse whinny. They call him Seabiscuit.

With a cast like this there is no way you will not enjoy Rise And Shine.