In the early thirties David Manners had the reputation for being a dependable leading man but not a scene stealer. Hence his popularity in an era that created many strong actresses. He was asked for more than competency in only a couple of movies - one of them was "Crooner", which took a cynical look at the Crosby, Columbo and Vallee era of "magaphone" singers. Even though the movie boasted two hummable hits in "Sweethearts Forever" and "Three's a Crowd" the music took a back seat to the story of a mediocre singer who started to believe his own publicity. The anti musical trend continued through 1932, with only 11 "official" musicals released. "Crooner" was the only musical released from Warner Bros. in that year - until the studio hit pay dirt in February 1933 with "42nd Street".
"Teddy Taylor and His Collegians" are on the point of disbanding when they gain a tryout at Nick Meyer's (J. Carrol Naish) Golden Slipper Club. Just before they are about to perform, their vocalist comes down with a sore throat. They are almost laughed off the stage until a drunken patron (Guy Kibbee) hands Teddy (David Manners) a megaphone - and a star is born!!!
Teddy's faithful girlfriend Judy (Ann Dvorak) introduces him to Peter Sturgis (Ken Murray), who agrees to manage him. Teddy, still a nice guy, is amazed at the money Sturgis thinks he and the band members can earn, with radio ("Marconi's gift to the morons") giving them a massive following. When fan mail jumps to 2,000 a week, Teddy is pumped up with his own self importance, enough to hire a valet and hob nob with high society. He has changed and how!!! acquiring an upper crust accent (not very convincing) and berating the band members for their low behaviour - he is even having singing lessons, having aspirations to sing at the Royal Opera one day. He takes up with Mrs. Brown (Claire Dodd - where would movies be without her!!!) and has given Judy the right royal brush off!! Judy drops him, as do most of his fans when he punches out a crippled heckler who has dared to criticize the band's boring repertoire. Teddy falls into obscurity, back where he started, playing saxophone in a small band - Peter and Judy plan their wedding, but Pete realises that Judy has never forgotten Teddy. So like all good (old movie) pals, he arranges an accidental meeting and as "Sweethearts Forever" plays on the radio, Judy and Ted fall into each other's arms.
Ann Dvorak was still in her starlet phase, but there was no doubt, even with such a mundane role as "Judy" - Ann's dark beauty and intensity made her a standout from the crowd of ingenues around at the time.
Highly Reccomemded.
"Teddy Taylor and His Collegians" are on the point of disbanding when they gain a tryout at Nick Meyer's (J. Carrol Naish) Golden Slipper Club. Just before they are about to perform, their vocalist comes down with a sore throat. They are almost laughed off the stage until a drunken patron (Guy Kibbee) hands Teddy (David Manners) a megaphone - and a star is born!!!
Teddy's faithful girlfriend Judy (Ann Dvorak) introduces him to Peter Sturgis (Ken Murray), who agrees to manage him. Teddy, still a nice guy, is amazed at the money Sturgis thinks he and the band members can earn, with radio ("Marconi's gift to the morons") giving them a massive following. When fan mail jumps to 2,000 a week, Teddy is pumped up with his own self importance, enough to hire a valet and hob nob with high society. He has changed and how!!! acquiring an upper crust accent (not very convincing) and berating the band members for their low behaviour - he is even having singing lessons, having aspirations to sing at the Royal Opera one day. He takes up with Mrs. Brown (Claire Dodd - where would movies be without her!!!) and has given Judy the right royal brush off!! Judy drops him, as do most of his fans when he punches out a crippled heckler who has dared to criticize the band's boring repertoire. Teddy falls into obscurity, back where he started, playing saxophone in a small band - Peter and Judy plan their wedding, but Pete realises that Judy has never forgotten Teddy. So like all good (old movie) pals, he arranges an accidental meeting and as "Sweethearts Forever" plays on the radio, Judy and Ted fall into each other's arms.
Ann Dvorak was still in her starlet phase, but there was no doubt, even with such a mundane role as "Judy" - Ann's dark beauty and intensity made her a standout from the crowd of ingenues around at the time.
Highly Reccomemded.