Mr. Dodd Takes the Air (1937)

A small town electrician becomes a hit singer in New York and gets involved with a gold digger, a thief, an opera singer and the woman he loves.

Director:

Alfred E. Green

Writers:

William Wister Haines (screenplay), Elaine Ryan (screenplay)

Stars:

Kenny Baker, Frank McHugh, Alice Brady

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Kenny Baker	...	Claude L. Dodd
Frank McHugh	...	'Sniffer' Sears
Alice Brady	...	Mme. Sonia Moro
Gertrude Michael	...	Jessica Stafford
Jane Wyman	...	Marjorie Day
John Eldredge	...	Jim Lidin
Henry O'Neill	...	D.M. Gateway
Harry Davenport	...	Doc Jeremiah George Quinn
Ferris Taylor	...	Hiram P. Doremus
Linda Perry	...	Information Desk Girl

Storyline

In the small town of Pewamo, Claude Dodd, an electrician singing baritone in the local Strawberry Festival is heard by the owner of the Morpheus Mattress Company, who hires him to sing on the radio program he sponsors. Before he leaves for New York with his manager, "Sniffer" Sears, he has a minor operation to cure an attack of quinsy, and is told by the doctor not to use his voice. In front of the radio microphone the following week, he finds he's a tenor when he sings, much to the chagrin of the mattress company owner, who hates tenors. But that soon changes when telegrams pour in praising his voice, so that the station owner, Gateway, offers him a contract for 52 weeks, at a salary of $1000 per week, which was upped from the initial offer by Gateway's secretary, Marjorie Day, signalling Sears. Marjorie took a liking to Claude and vice versa, so while Claude becomes wealthy and famous, he and Marjorie fall in love. Because of his fame, he meets ditsy but egotistical opera singer, ...

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Plot Keywords:

invention | singer | radio | new york | gold digger | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 August 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Den mystiske radiosanger

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Claude Dodd is seen quickly putting on his jacket over shirt sleeves rolled up above his elbows, before taking the stage to sing his first song, but after a brief cut to audience members, his shirt cuffs are showing properly at his wrists under the jacket.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits emanate from the top of the radio transmitter tower.

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Soundtracks

Chicken Reel
(uncredited)
Traditional
Played briefly during the opening scene

User Reviews

A weak showcase for radio singer Kenny Baker...

None of the shenanigans in MR. DODD TAKES THE AIR ring true due to a weak script of Hollywood clichés prevalent in many of the '30s films, and the fact that KENNY BAKER, while possessing a fine tenor voice, has very little charisma for a man who has to carry most of the film. True, he's likable enough, but his acting leaves a lot to be desired. He would be featured in a few more films in the '30s and '40s, but never had a breakthrough role.

JANE WYMAN, who gets fifth billing when she has a major part in the story, is pert and vivacious as the secretary who takes an immediate interest in Baker and wants to help his career. GERTRUDE MICHAELS is "the other woman," a conniving socialite who wants to steal a device Baker has invented for improving radio's sound quality.

ALICE BRADY has an inconsequential role late in the film, as an egotistical opera singer and seems out of place in an overplayed role.

It's a minor item, an entirely forgettable film that is only worthwhile for hearing Baker sing a few songs in his own crooner style.