Naughty But Nice (1939)

Professor Hardwick teaches at Winfield College and detests the new swing music that is the craze. He has written a rhapsody which he takes to New York to be published. Staying with his Aunt... See full summary »

Director:

Ray Enright

Writers:

Richard Macaulay (screenplay), Jerry Wald (screenplay)

Stars:

Ann Sheridan, Dick Powell, Gale Page

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ann Sheridan	...	Zelda Manion
Dick Powell	...	Professor Donald 'Don' Hardwick
Gale Page	...	Linda McKay
Helen Broderick	...	Aunt Martha Hogan
Ronald Reagan	...	Ed 'Eddie' Clark
Allen Jenkins	...	Joe Dirk
Zasu Pitts	...	Aunt Penelope Hardwick
Maxie Rosenbloom	...	Killer (as Maxie Rosenblum)
Jerry Colonna	...	Allie Gray
Luis Alberni	...	Stanislaus Pysinski
Vera Lewis	...	Aunt Annabella Hardwick
Elizabeth Dunne	...	Aunt Henrietta Hardwick
William B. Davidson	...	Samuel 'Sam' 'Simsy' Hudson - Music Publisher (as Bill Davidson)
Granville Bates	...	Judge Kennith B. Walters, Superior Court
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Dean Burton, Winfield College

Storyline

Professor Hardwick teaches at Winfield College and detests the new swing music that is the craze. He has written a rhapsody which he takes to New York to be published. Staying with his Aunt Martha, he is surrounded by swing and after a few drinks, he is photographed hanging on the chandelier. He finds that he can only sell his rhapsody to Eddie and Miss McKay puts lyrics to it. It is a big swing sensation and the partnership of Hardwick and McKay crank out the hits until Zelda breaks up the team. Zelda wants to sing the hot songs and have Hudson, the Home of the Hits, publish the music.

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Plot Keywords:

deception | professor | college | aunt | swing music | 

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Taglines:

The "Oomph" Girl's Greatest Tri"Oomph"

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 July 1939 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Professor Steps Out

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film's earliest documented telecast took place in Tucson Monday 24 September 1956 on KDWI (Channel 9); it first aired in Albuquerque Saturday 6 October 1956 on KOAT (Channel 7), in Phoenix Tuesday 23 October 1956 on KVOS (Channel 12), in Boston Friday 26 October 1956 on WBZ (Channel 4), in Salt Lake City Tuesday 12 February 1957 on KUTV (Channel 2), and in Portland OR Sunday 24 March 1957 on KOIN (Channel 6).

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Connections

Referenced in The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

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Soundtracks

I'm Up a Tree
(uncredited)
based on "Fröhlicher Landmann (The Merry Farmer)"
Music by Robert Schumann
Sung a cappella by Allen Jenkins

User Reviews

Silly Little Film

Naughty But Nice is the story of a professor of music (Dick Powell) who wants his rhapsody to be published. His innocence and lack of taste buds rope him into a contract writing popular music with a female singer (Gale Page), a style that he hates. He becomes hugely popular, and another singer (Ann Sheridan) attempts to steal his talents for herself through shady means.

It is very strange to see Powell in such a film as the character he is. He is an extreme intellectual at the expense of his charm and handsomeness. He does get to show off his beautiful voice, but it is quickly and not very memorable. Zasu Pitts, a former silent movie star, makes a favorable impression as an eccentric and funny aunt of Powell.

There are some very enjoyable parts to the film, especially the bits about the lemonade, but it is rather predictable in places and somewhat dull in others.