Old Man Rhythm (1935)

A businessman enrolls as a college freshman in order to break up his son's relationship with a gold-digger.

Director:

Edward Ludwig

Writers:

Lewis E. Gensler (story) (as Lewis Gensler), Sig Herzig (story)

Stars:

Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, George Barbier, Barbara Kent

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles 'Buddy' Rogers	...	Johnny Roberts
George Barbier	...	John Roberts Sr
Barbara Kent	...	Edith Warren
Grace Bradley	...	Marion Beecher
Betty Grable	...	Sylvia
Eric Blore	...	'Phil' Phillips
Erik Rhodes	...	Frank Rochet
John Arledge	...	Pinky Parker
Johnny Mercer	...	Colonel
Donald Meek	...	Paul Parker
Evelyn Poe	...	Honey

Storyline

Rich John Roberts, Jr. gets reports that his son, Johnny, is falling for a gold digging blonde at college. So he enrolls as a freshman to try to steer Johnny towards the girl he'd like him to marry. He hits upon the idea to have the blonde believe he lost his business, by writing a letter instructing his partner to wire him that his business went broke. But he gives the letter to a school official who forgets to mail it.

---

Plot Keywords:

b movie | song | singer | slang | deception | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Music

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 August 1935 (USA)

Also Known As:

Papa's in the Cradle

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Victor System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Several of the collegiates are played by the scions of silent stars including Erich von Sttroheim, Jr., Carlyle Blackwell, Jr., Bryant Washburn, Jr., and Claude Gillingwater, Jr.

---

Crazy Credits

The opening title leaps up from the orchestra music.

---

Connections

Featured in Mary Pickford: A Life on Film (1997)

---

Soundtracks

Boys Will Be Boys
Music by Lewis E. Gensler
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Betty Grable, Evelyn Poe, Joy Hodges, others

User Reviews

Too much singing, not enough plot

Unlike much of the other posters here, I really didn't enjoy the many musical numbers in this movie, and thought more acting and plot was needed. The first number on the train went on waaaaaay too long, I thought it would never end! I think I clocked it at around 8 minutes of silly, uninspiring singing. I would have liked to have seen some classroom scenes, a football game, or anything that positioned the action in a college. The sets were spectacular art-deco architecture and interior decorating, making me wonder if the movie had actually first been envisioned as a sophisticated Manhattann penthouse romp.

Not a terrible movie, but nothing much happens in my opinion.