The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938)

The Bellows family causes comic confusion on an ocean liner, with time out for radio-style musical acts.

Directors:

Mitchell Leisen, James P. Hogan (uncredited)

Writers:

Walter DeLeon (screen play), Francis Martin (screen play)

Stars:

W.C. Fields, Martha Raye, Dorothy Lamour

Won 1 Oscar. Another 1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
W.C. Fields	...	T. Frothingill Bellows / S.B. Bellows
Martha Raye	...	Martha Bellows
Dorothy Lamour	...	Dorothy Wyndham
Shirley Ross	...	Cleo Fielding
Lynne Overman	...	Scoop McPhail
Bob Hope	...	Buzz Fielding
Ben Blue	...	Mike
Leif Erickson	...	Bob Hayes (as Leif Erikson)
Patricia Wilder	...	Honey Chile
Grace Bradley	...	Grace Fielding
Rufe Davis	...	Turnkey
Lionel Pape	...	Lord Droopy
Virginia Vale	...	Joan Fielding (as Dorothy Howe)
Russell Hicks	...	Capt. Stafford
Kirsten Flagstad	...	Specialty: the Metropolitan Opera Company

Storyline

New ocean liner S.S. Gigantic is about to race its rival, the Colossal. Gigantic owner T.F. Bellows sends his brother S.B. on the Colossal, hoping he will cause trouble; delayed by a golf game, S.B. lands on Gigantic instead, and so does his unlucky daughter Martha. Meanwhile, radio emcee Buzz Fielding announces a series of musical acts and tries to juggle fiancée Dorothy and three ex-wives who've come for the ride. Can the Gigantic win against all handicaps? Will true love triumph?

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Plot Keywords:

pinching cheek | song | billiards | ocean liner | race | 

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Taglines:

IT'S BIGGER THAN MY BEAK! MIGHTIER THAN MARTHA'S MOUTH! (print ad - Lubbock Morning Avalanche - Palace Theatre - Lubbock, Texas - March 4, 1938 - all caps)

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where Martha Raye interrupts Lynne Overman's shaving, she also interrupts his singing "Love in Bloom." The tune was written by Ralph Rainger (music) and Leo Robin (lyrics), who also composed several other tunes that are performed in this movie - most notably, "Thanks for the Memory," sung later in the movie by Bob Hope and Shirley Ross. The song also became Bob Hope's theme song. Whether or not intended, the interruption is a subtle comedic tug at the professional relationship between Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, who would go on to appear together as pals, but often as rivals, in 17 movies. Bing Crosby introduced "Love in Bloom" in the 1934 movie "She Loves Me Not." Interestingly, Jack Benny, who reputedly turned down the role of Buzz Fielding before it was given to Bob Hope, went on to use "Love in Bloom" as his theme for his radio and TV shows.

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Quotes

Martha Bellows: Gee, I- I'm so cute! I'll bet they put my picture on the front page.
Scoop McPhail: I'll never forget the last time you had your picture on the front page. Your mouth was continued on page two.

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Connections

Featured in The 57th Annual Academy Awards (1985)

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Soundtracks

THIS LITTLE RIPPLE HAD RHYTHM
(1937) (uncredited)
Music by Ralph Rainger
Performed by Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra

User Reviews

An Entertaining "Old Time" Movie

I really don't understand what some people expect when they watch an old movie like this. This one in my estimation, is light hearted and entertaining. It is a showcase for some of our greatest stars as they were just starting out. Is it their best effort? Probably not. But it is fun to watch if you don't take it too seriously. I'm awfully glad we have it around to watch. Being a fan of almost every star in it, I consider it a treasure chest of many favorites talent. W.C. Fields is wonderful through out the film. Some of his skits are hilarious! Bob Hope is so good in his role that you have to really feel sorry for his character. Of course the song "Thanks For The Memories" is forever linked to him with this film. Martha Ray is hilarious in another one of her zany roles. All in all, a very good and entertaining film to be watched over and over. A real, or reel part of history.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 March 1938 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Big Broadcast of 1938

Filming Locations:

Eastern Service Studios, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min (copyright length)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1