| Credited cast: | |||
| Jack Haley | ... |
Pinky Wilson
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Helen Walker | ... |
Corey Sullivan
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| Rudy Vallee | ... |
Ormsby Jamison
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Ozzie Nelson | ... |
Leroy Brinker
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Phillip Reed | ... |
John Guedel
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Bob Graham | ... |
Luke
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Roy Atwell | ... |
Mr. Pippensigal
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Barbara Roche | ... |
Aimee
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Clara Blandick | ... |
Grandma Wilson
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| Art Linkletter | ... | ||
| Frances Langford | ... |
Frances Langford-Guest Artist
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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William 'Billy' Benedict | ... |
NBC Usher
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Ann Jenkins | ... |
Boogie Woogie Piano Player
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The Vagabonds | ... |
Quartet-Singers /
Musicians
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A comedy based on NBC's "People Are Funny" radio (and later television) program with Art Linkletter with a fictional story of how the program came to be on a national network from its humble beginning at a Nevada radio station. Jack Haley is a producer with only half-rights to the program while Ozzie Nelson and Helen Walker are the radio writers and supply the romance. Rudy Vallee, always able to burlesque himself intentional and, quite often, unintentional, is the owner of the sought-after sponsoring company. Frances Langford, as herself, sings "I'm in the Mood for Love" while the Vagabonds quartet (billed 12th and last) chimes in on "Angeline" and "The Old Square Dance is Back Again." Written by Les Adams <longhorn1939@suddenlink.net>
This is the perfect movie to watch on a rainy day. Unless you work in the broadcasting biz, it'll have nothing to do with anything. So it's a great getaway.
The story centers around a group of characters who work in radio. There are two rival producers, a female writer who is coveted by both (for both her talent and her bod), and then there's Pinky the clueless chump who's just along for the ride--yet he's the glue that holds it all together.
There are some pretty interesting themes going on, a lot of backstabbing & questionable loyalties that'll keep you guessing who's the good guy & who's the bad guy. It's basically every man for himself, every woman for herself, and then there's Pinky who is totally neutral due to his naïveté. He plays the host of a variety show that exposes the ridiculousness of people. See the clever metaphor? The musical numbers are thoroughly enjoyable. There's a Spanish number, a mellow Bing Crosby-type song, some great Dixieland piano, and then there's a minstrel routine which is pretty funny because it features a bluegrass band done up in blackface & singing an Italian lovesong (I have no idea if that should be offensive to African-Americans, Italians, Kentuckians or all of the above, but it's pretty crazy).
As you're watching this, you realize you're taking a behind-the-scenes historical peek at a form of entertainment (live radio) that is now completely extinct. That alone should be worth the price of admission. The music, gags, story and lame jokes are icing on the cake.