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IMDbPro

The Loudspeaker

  • 1934
  • 1h 7m
IMDb RATING
5.2/10
44
YOUR RATING
Julie Bishop, Martha Boswell, Ray Walker, and The Brownies Trio in The Loudspeaker (1934)
ComedyDrama

A young man from a small town heads to New York, determined to become a radio star. He achieves his goal but in the process alienates those around him.A young man from a small town heads to New York, determined to become a radio star. He achieves his goal but in the process alienates those around him.A young man from a small town heads to New York, determined to become a radio star. He achieves his goal but in the process alienates those around him.

  • Director
    • Joseph Santley
  • Writers
    • Albert DeMond
    • Ralph Spence
  • Stars
    • Ray Walker
    • Julie Bishop
    • Charley Grapewin
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.2/10
    44
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph Santley
    • Writers
      • Albert DeMond
      • Ralph Spence
    • Stars
      • Ray Walker
      • Julie Bishop
      • Charley Grapewin
    • 3User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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    Top cast

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    Ray Walker
    Ray Walker
    • Joe Miller
    Julie Bishop
    Julie Bishop
    • Janet Melrose
    • (as Jacqueline Wells)
    Charley Grapewin
    Charley Grapewin
    • Pop Calloway
    Noel Francis
    Noel Francis
    • Dolly
    Lorin Raker
    • George Green
    Spencer Charters
    Spencer Charters
    • Burroughs
    Larry Wheat
    Larry Wheat
    • Thomas
    Mary Carr
    Mary Carr
    • Grandma
    Ruth Romaine
    • Amy Witherspoon
    Billy Irvine
    • Caleb Hawkins
    Eddie Kane
    Eddie Kane
    • Silverman, Broadway producer
    Wilbur Mack
    Wilbur Mack
    • Walker
    Sherwood Bailey
    • Ignatz
    The Brownies Trio
    • Vocal Ensemble
    Martha Boswell
    Martha Boswell
    • Radio Singer
    • (uncredited)
    Lynton Brent
    Lynton Brent
    • Radio Assistant
    • (uncredited)
    Leonard Carey
    Leonard Carey
    • Finds Janet's address for Joe
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Cramer
    Richard Cramer
    • Angry automat patron
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Joseph Santley
    • Writers
      • Albert DeMond
      • Ralph Spence
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      The earliest documented telecast of this film took place in New York City Tuesday 9 May 1950 on the Night Owl Theatre on WPIX (Channel 11).
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Joe Miller: Hello, my lucky public!

    • Soundtracks
      Who But You
      by Harry Akst and Lew Brown

      Performed by Jacqueline Wells (dubbed)

    User reviews3

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Fun Comedy-Romance, Great Locations & Sets, Great Girl Trio
    This little screwball romantic comedy has a whole lot going for it. The lead character, Joe Miller, played by Ray Walker, is a very funny schtick comedian, and Julie Bishop (billed as Jacqueline Wells) plays his dream-girl most convincingly.

    The rise-fall-redemption plot of Joe's self-confidence and pep, which take him into show biz, and his arrogance and drunkenness, which cause his on-air debacle, follows a predictable story-arc, but there are lots of very funny lines, delivered with genuine wit, and enough of a competition with another suitor to bring tension to the drama.

    If "The Loudspeaker" had been made in the late 20th century, Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, or Jim Carey would have gotten the role of Joe Miller. What we have instead is a tightly constructed, fluffy pancake of a show, well worth watching in its own right. Character actor Charley Grapewin is charming as "Pops," and sweet Mary Carr does a walk-on as a star-struck land-lady.

    Best of all, for those who follow old movies for other reasons than the story-line, it must be noted that we have some great 1934 vintage "stuff" on display here: live steam locomotive action filmed at a real railway depot; a Horn and Hardardt's automat set filled with vintage chrome goodness; a fabulous art deco penthouse that should rate a mention in any book on art deco set decoration; a lot of gorgeously chic gowns from an unexpectedly high-class wardrobe department, considering the film's probable budget; and an otherwise-unfilmed but very hot threesome of African American jazz and scat singers billed here as The Brownies Trio. (Sensitive viewers are advised to overlook the radio sponsor's logo of a smiling Black cook and the fact that The Brownies are dressed in silver-spangled Aunt Jemima outfits. Relax -- just enjoy the music!) I liked this one a lot -- unpretentious, well directed, a clean print (from Alpha Video), and lots of vitality make it a perfect little mid-1930s gem -- kinda like the very small diamond on the ring that Joe gives to his gal before he becomes a star.
    helpful•5
    2
    • CatherineYronwode
    • Sep 26, 2010

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • June 1, 1934 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Radio Star
    • Production company
      • W.T. Lackey Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 7 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Julie Bishop, Martha Boswell, Ray Walker, and The Brownies Trio in The Loudspeaker (1934)
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    By what name was The Loudspeaker (1934) officially released in Canada in English?
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