On the Avenue (1937)

Broadway producer satirizes an important New York family. The family sues but their daughter falls in love with producer.

Director:

Roy Del Ruth

Writers:

Gene Markey (screen play), William M. Conselman (screen play) (as William Conselman)

Stars:

Dick Powell, Madeleine Carroll, Alice Faye

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dick Powell	...	Gary Blake
Madeleine Carroll	...	Mimi Caraway
Alice Faye	...	Mona Merrick
The Ritz Brothers	...	Performers (as Ritz Brothers)
George Barbier	...	Commodore Caraway
Alan Mowbray	...	Frederick Sims
Cora Witherspoon	...	Aunt Fritz
Walter Catlett	...	Jake Dibble
Douglas Fowley	...	Eddie Eads
Joan Davis	...	Miss Katz
Stepin Fetchit	...	Herman
Sig Ruman	...	Herr Hanfstangel (as Sig Rumann)
Billy Gilbert	...	Joe Papaloupas
E.E. Clive	...	Cabby
Douglas Wood	...	Mr. Trivet

Storyline

A new Broadway show starring Gary Blake shamelessly lampoons the rich Carraway family. To get her own back, daughter Mimi sets out to ensnare Blake, but the courtship is soon for real, to the annoyance of his co-star, hoofing chanteuse Mona Merrick.

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Plot Keywords:

love | manhattan new york city | central park manhattan new york city | broadway manhattan new york city | male female relationship | 

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Genres:

Musical | Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Na bulvaru

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite introducing three Irving Berlin classics ("This Year's Kisses," "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" with Dick Powell, and "Slumming on Park Avenue," followed by The Ritz Brothers in drag), Alice Faye, already well established in screen musicals, received only third billing, below the film title. Mr. Powell and non-vocalizing Madeline Carroll placed above Miss Faye.

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Goofs

In his third and final scene, actor Stepin Fetchit tells Dick Powell that Mimi is on the phone. His character name is Herman, but Powell says "Thanks Step."

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Connections

Referenced in 20th Century Fox Promotional Film (1936)

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Soundtracks

Slumming on Park Avenue
(1937) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Irving Berlin
Performed by Alice Faye, The Ritz Brothers and chorus
Reprised by Dick Powell at Tony's Restaurant
Reprised again by the major cast members at Papaloupas' diner at the end

User Reviews

Great Musical Entertainment

Alice Faye's movie career was just getting into high gear when she did this gem in 1937. The Irving Berlin score is among the best he ever wrote for the screen and Alice does well with Let's Go Slumming on Park Avenue and This Year's Kisses. The former is somewhat autobiographical for her as Alice Faye was brought up in Hell's Kitchen and she sings it against a Hell's Kitchen background.

In her early career at 20th Century Fox, Darryl Zanuck had a problem with finding someone who could sing opposite her. The only one available on the lot was Don Ameche. Zanuck's number one leading man, Tyrone Power, was non-musical. So Zanuck had to reach out to his former employer, Jack Warner, to borrow Dick Powell to play opposite Faye. Ironically Powell got the hit song out of this film with I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.

The rest of the cast is top rate. Madeline Carroll plays a typical 1930s débutante and it's the antics of her family and actor-writer Dick Powell's satire of same that form the basis of the story. My two personal favorites of the supporting cast are George Barbier who always hits the right note as Madeline's perennially choleric father and Billy Gilbert who has a great bit as a diner owner.

Wonderful film, great entertainment.