Step Lively (1944)

Gordon Miller is rehearsing a musical comedy in the penthouse suite of Gribble's hotel...on credit. The mounting bill is driving Gribble frantic. Chaos increases when playwright Glen ... See full summary »

Director:

Tim Whelan

Writers:

Warren Duff (screenplay), Peter Milne (screenplay)

Stars:

Adolphe Menjou, George Murphy, Frank Sinatra

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Adolphe Menjou	...	Wagner
George Murphy	...	Gordon Miller
Frank Sinatra	...	Glenn Russell
Gloria DeHaven	...	Christine Marlowe
Walter Slezak	...	Joe Gribble
Eugene Pallette	...	Simon Jenkins
Wally Brown	...	Binion
Alan Carney	...	Harry
Grant Mitchell	...	Dr. Gibbs
Anne Jeffreys	...	Miss Abbott

Storyline

Gordon Miller is rehearsing a musical comedy in the penthouse suite of Gribble's hotel...on credit. The mounting bill is driving Gribble frantic. Chaos increases when playwright Glen Russell, whose dramatic play he thinks Miller is producing, arrives. But it turns out Russell can sing like Sinatra, and Miller has leading lady Christine turn on the charm. Can Miller's crazed machinations save the show?

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Plot Keywords:

crooner | swooning | hep cat | solid jackson | song | 

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Taglines:

It's Fun!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is a musical rendering of the Broadway play, 'Room Service' which was also filmed and, later, performed on television.

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Goofs

In the finale, Wagner and Gribble are shown at the back of the theater in a close shot with Wagner on the left; it cuts to a long shot, and their positions are reversed.

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Quotes

Joe Gribble: They're not human beings! They're... actors!

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Connections

Referenced in The Monkees: Monkees Manhattan Style (1967)

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Soundtracks

ASK THE MADAME
Music by Jule Styne
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Performed by George Murphy, Gloria DeHaven, and chorus

User Reviews

Showcasing Sinatra

A screwball comedy, Step Lively is a remake of the Marx Brothers' Room Service, with a B-level musical score made listenable largely by the crooning voice of young Frank Sinatra. Released at the height of World War II, this farce does not pretend to make sense; it clearly was made to showcase Sinatra's talents as a singer and sex symbol. It works; you can't take your eyes off the skinny little guy from Hoboken, New Jersey. Supported by an enormously talented cast that includes Gloria DeHaven, Anne Jeffreys, Walter Slezak, Adolphe Menjou, and George Murphy. The choreography, however, could have used a hand from Busby Berkeley.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 1945 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Amor, Música e Sarilhos

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1