The Backyard Broadcast (1936)

A boy calling himself Major Bones holds a talent show called Major Bones Amateurs, the show performed in his back yard by and for his adolescent friends. Among the acts are singers, dancers... See full summary »

Director:

Joseph Henabery

Writer:

A. Dorian Otvos (story)

Stars:

Lloyd Barry, Joan Donnenwirth, Madison Square Club Boys

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lloyd Barry	...	Major Bones
Joan Donnenwirth	...	Polly Wolly Doodle singer
Madison Square Club Boys	...	Vocal Group
Miriam Alpher	...	'Bubbles' Girl
Arnold Stone	...	Nightclub Master of Ceremonies
Marion Loveridge	...	Nightclub Singer
Joe Korn	...	Cowboy
Orin Hill	...	Cowboy
The Hill Sisters	...	Gymnasts
Janet Dempsey	...	'Here Comes Cookie' singer
Jerry Schussler	...	Spanish Singer
Josefina Mendez	...	Spanish Dancer
Yuyita Concheiro	...	Spanish Dancer
Betty Ann Nyman	...	Raggedy Doll Act
The Moylan Sisters	...	Gypsy Tea Room Singers

Storyline

A boy calling himself Major Bones holds a talent show called Major Bones Amateurs, the show performed in his back yard by and for his adolescent friends. Among the acts are singers, dancers, gymnasts, and an impersonator. Being the emcee, Major Bones has the power to pull acts that just don't make the grade. But he also gets an offer for his acts to turn professional, and another offer to go into a joint venture in having the show play in a nightclub type venue.

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Plot Keywords:

nightclub | tap shoes | impersonator | dancer | telegram | 

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Genres:

Short | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Broadway Brevities (1936-1937 Season) (#3): The Backyard Broadcast

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vitaphone production reels ##2007-2008

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Soundtracks

"Beautiful Girl"
(uncredited)
Written by Cliff Hess

User Reviews

Decent Short with Cute Acts

Backyard Broadcast, The (1936)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

If you're a fan of Musical shorts then you'll want to check this one out due to its cuteness level but others will probably want to stay away. The film has a group of kids putting on a talent show in their backyard and we're treated to various acts, dances and of course music. Polly Wolly Doodle, Don't Give Up the Ship, Beautiful Girls, Wah! Hoo!, I'm a Little Gypsy Tea Room and Raggedy Doll are just a few of the songs performed here. I think what makes this Vitaphone short so interesting, to film buffs at least, is that none of the performers here went on to do anything else so this is your only shot of seeing them. I'm not sure if Warner meant for this to be an ongoing series of new kids but either way this is the only one out there. While nothing here is ground breaking or going to make you forget about SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, the kids are all mostly charming and the music numbers are cute at the least.