Playing Around (1930) User Reviews

What fun...

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 6 September 2010]

...as were most of Alice White's films. Alice would never win any acting awards, but the films she starred in during her brief reign over at First National exemplify the end of the Jazz Age. Alice's characters may have not had the best judgment or the best taste in men, but their intentions were always good, and that is the case here.

The film starts out in a nightclub named "The Pirate's Den". A big pirate-themed production number that looks like something that didn't make the final cut in Warner's revue "The Show of Shows" takes up the first five or so minutes - but Alice is nowhere in sight at this point. After the show is over, our stars appear. Sheba and Jack (Alice White and William Bakewell) are out for a night on the town, but Jack gets a headache when he looks at the prices on the menu. At the club at the same time is Nickey Solomon (Chester Morris) who seems to be a likable fellow who enjoys living well. However, he has one major character flaw - his profession is holdup man. Fortunately for the patrons of the club, this is his night off. He and Sheba meet when the club has a "legs contest" in which the female patrons are invited to participate. The curtain is lowered on the stage so you can just see the legs of the participants, and the girls then parade around the stage. Nickey is named judge, and he picks Sheba's legs as the winner(s). When the curtain is raised he sees the rest of Sheba and Nickey is quite taken by the entire package.

From this point on Nickey is wooing Sheba, and Jack, who is just a 35 dollar a week soda jerk, is having a hard time competing. The scale is weighed even more heavily in Nickey's favor due to the fact that he is a rather talented liar who has Sheba believing he is a successful businessman. Chester Morris was excellent at playing an evil guy with a nice guy facade, but here you never see the really nasty side of his nature except for one scene. Nickey makes one serious mistake for a holdup guy - driving your own car to robberies and then blowing its unique sounding horn.

This film has Alice singing only one number. Besides the opening production number there is another big costumed production number towards the middle of the film also staged at "The Pirates Den". The supporting roles are played well here too. There are a couple of older ladies that live across the alley from Sheba and her father that are always gossiping, and the part of Sheba's poor but loving father is played with heart by Richard Carlyle. Recommended for fans of early talkie fare if it ever crosses your path. In the 16 years I've been watching Turner Classic Movies I don't recall it ever being aired there.

Start talking!

[MikeMagi · 7/10 · 9 July 2014]

"Playing Around" was obviously intended as a silent movie (note the screen credit, "titles-- silent version.") But with the advent of sound, First National quickly converted it to an all-talking and sometimes singing-and-dancing thriller. When we meet sassy tenement girl Alice White, she's dating gormless William Bakewell whose height of ambition is a raise to $35 a week. Then she's smitten with playboy Chester Morris unaware that his only means of support is an occasional stick-up. His next robbery stretches the long arm of coincidence to the breaking point. But director Mervyn Leroy doesn't let anything as trivial as the plot detract from the over-the-top musical numbers. And the result is surprisingly entertaining, especially for a movie made in 1929 and released in 1930.

Playing Around with Alice White

[wes-connors · 6/10 · 4 July 2014]

Bubbly blonde Alice White (as Sheba Miller) enjoys an evening out at "The Pirates Den", an expensive nightclub. Her boyfriend William Bakewell (as Jack), a soda jerk making only $35 per week, thinks the place is out of their price range and wants to leave. On the way out, Ms. White enters the club's "pageant of the knees" contest and is judged by suave Chester Morris (as Nickey Solomon) to have the prettiest legs. Named "Queen of the Den," White sings "You Learn About Love Every Day" and arouses Mr. Morris. His friends advise White is a "no," but Morris considers her a possibility. White loves her childhood sweetheart, but is drawn to Morris' fancy lifestyle. White doesn't know it, but Morris has a secret she may not like...

This is a fairly typical plot, but the production turns out to be engaging. The popular elements of early talking pictures fall into place, with nightclub providing a natural site for musical numbers. The acrobatic blonde and other young women are an attractive diversion. Sounds of the city are natural, with Morris' car horn providing a focal point which fits neatly into the plot. The story, from writers Vina Delmar and Frances Nordstrom, is not extraordinary – however, secondary cultural characters and situations help keep it lively. The performances are theatrical, which fits the presentation as "Playing Around" is staged nicely by director Mervyn LeRoy and photographer Sol Polito; their lighting and tracking of sets a highlight.

****** Playing Around (1/19/30) Mervyn LeRoy ~ Alice White, Chester Morris, William Bakewell, Richard Carlyle

Alice White as a Tenement Girl.

[drednm · 30 June 2008]

Alice White stars as Sheba Miller, a girl who wants more out of life than her soda-jerk boyfriend (William Bakewell) can give her. After winning a leg contest at a nightclub called The Pirate Den, she catches the eye of smooth talker Chester Morris, and she starts dating him. Bakewell hilariously comments that Morris dresses "like all his clothes fit him." Morris also flashes money and drives a snappy roadster. All these things are dear to White's heart. But then there is a neat plot twist that changes everything.

White is adorable and gets to sing "You Learn About Love Every Day." It's her only song but the nightclub acts sing a few more, including "You're My Captain Kidd" and "That's the Lowdown on the Lowdown." By 1930 audiences were tired of backstage musicals so filmmakers moved the numbers out front, which made them more realistic.

Morris and Bakewell are good, and then there's Marion Byron as the jazzy phone operator in the office where White works. White and Byron had also starred together in Broadway BABIES. Maurice Black is good as Joe the Bartender who gets suckered by Morris. Richard Carlyle plays White's father. And in a humorous tenement bit, Nellie Nichols and Ann Brody play a pair of immigrant gossipers who hang out their windows and exchange news in fractured English.

PLAYING AROUND was one of five films White starred in in 1930. In 1931, she had her final starring role in THE NAUGHTY FLIRT.

Worth a look for Alice White and some snappy pre-Code dialog.

Not the highest bar to reach but this is one of Alice White's best pictures

[1930s_Time_Machine · 6/10 · 7 July 2023]

Nobody would describe this as a good film but it's actually quite entertaining and fun. What makes it so watchable is that gorgeous, cuddly bundle of joy, that proto-Marilyn Monroe, Alice White.

Like many pictures made in 1929, it looks like a silent film; its exaggerated movements and facial expressions are pure silent cinema. But this has got sound, lots of sound and apart from the stilted vocal delivery (due to poor equipment, not poor acting) it's used to great effect in enhancing the mood and feel of a time even before the Depression. Although this is horribly handicapped by being made using Warner's unwieldy Vitaphone system - which was obsolete as soon as it was invented, Mervyn LeRoy works wonders with the hand he's been dealt. These very early Vitaphone pictures were hampered by the sound recording to often be confined to a static studio set but visually this one is quite impressive with some great cinematography. In terms of storytelling, LeRoy pulls a rabbit out of the bag by making it compelling and honestly quite exciting. It is better than you'd expect because of its decent story and decent director. If you compare his innovative style with that of Edward Cline who made the atrocious SWEET MAMA, again with the lovely Alice White a few months after this, you will understand why Mervyn LeRoy is still remembered today.

The story, which is by Vina Delmar is simple but engrossing - somehow completely unrealistic yet also believable. What's it about: blonde bimbo ditches her dull, dumb idiot boyfriend for a slick, smooth creep whom to everyone but her, is obviously some sort of minor gangster. It's a cracking little plot and I honestly did not see the plot twist coming - I was genuinely surprised! The dialogue is silly but it isn't meant to be taken that seriously, it's delivered straight but it's all very tongue in cheek and works keeping everything light-hearted but still conveying the daft but enjoyable story.

Most people will watch this because of Alice White, lovely Alice White! She might have been a pretty awful actress but she's so adorable that you instantly forgive her lack of talent. Like Marilyn Monroe did twenty years later, she invented a character and became that role: Alice White was created by Alice White because that's what the movies wanted at that point in time. She had never even planned to become an actress; she was a slightly chubby, dark-haired script girl working for Charlie Chaplin with a nick name of Peter Rabbit then one day a cameraman suggested she put on a blonde wig and 'pout like a movie star' to test his equipment. From that moment, Alva White became Alice White. In this picture she really plays up to that dizzy blonde caricature of herself. Obviously she would never win any Oscars but in this one she does put some effort into proper acting and it's considered to be one of her best films.

Inexplicably Alice While isn't to everyone's taste but if she is, this is a must for you. Some of you may find her wide-eyed cuteness and sweet little girl voice unbearable but if you do you clearly are a loathsome spotted reptile with no soul.

Alice is a bundle of fun

[malcolmgsw · 6/10 · 29 September 2017]

Alice Whites career as a star only lasted around 6 years.By the time she made this her style of dizzy blonde was going out of fashion,to be replaced by the more cynical gold digger type played by Joan Blondell.In this film she is romanced by patent hair Chester Morris who robs her fathers shop in his spare time.Alice is no great shakes as an actress but she is a great personality.

Solomon and Sheba

[lugonian · 5/10 · 13 July 2014]

The moral of the story is its theme song, "We Learn About Love Every Day." The title of the movie is PLAYING AROUND (First National Pictures, 1930), directed by Mervyn Leroy, and starring the young, blonde, pert and sassy Alice White in one of her several leading roles for the studio during the late silent/early talkie era (1927-1931). Being the studio's answer to Paramount's Clara Bow, White didn't have much of a cult following as the legendary "It" Girl, however, whatever films that have survived, PLAYING AROUND is a prime example of White's screen character, as adapted from the story, "Sheba" by Vina Delmar, and based on the play, "Playing Around" by Frances Nordstrom and Adele Commandini.

Following a fade-in resembling a pirate movie leading to a production number, the story gets underway with the introduction to its basic characters and how they meet. Set in New York, the story opens in the exclusive Pirates Den restaurant where patron Nicky Soloman (Chester Morris) dines with his male friends. Moments later, Sheba Miller (Alice White), a free-spirited blonde, is escorted by Jack (William Bakewell), her steady boyfriend from her childhood days. After being seated, Jack, with only five dollars in his pocket, finds that after going over the menu, the only thing he can afford is butter milk for 40 cents. Before leaving for a movie, a contest, "Pagent of the Knees" is to take place with Nicky, acting as judge, is to pick out the girl walking cross the stage behind a half-way curtain, with the best looking legs. Of the parade of girls, Nicky chooses Sheba, who not only wins the prize cup, but a free dinner. Feeling awkward about being the center of attention, Jack talks Sheba into leaving. Before the night is over, Nicky, very much interested with the blonde, makes attempts by impressing her, especially by driving his expensive roadster in front of her residence where she lives with her middle-aged father (Richard Carlyle). It would be a matter of time before Sheba begins ignoring her soda-jerking boyfriend making $35 a week for the exciting Nicky, with whom she goes with during the late night hours of fun. Sheba, a working office girl by day, becomes the topic of gossip by a couple of nosy neighbors (Ann Brody and Nellie V. Nichols) while her father, manager of a cigar store across town, wants very much to meet the man she intends to marry. Before the meeting is to take place, Nicky learns the man he robbed and shot earlier that evening happens to be her father. As Sheba gets to learn more about love every day, she needs to get to learn more about the sort of guy she's been dating.

As with many early talkies, song interludes are incorporated into the story. With music and lyrics credited to Sammy Stept and Buddy Green, songs include: "You're My Captain Kid," "We Learn About Love Every Day" (sung by Alice White); "That's the Low-down on the Low-down" and "We Learn About Love Every Day"

Though the story could hardly be considered fresh and original in 1930, PLAYING AROUND, under Leroy's capable direction, keeps the pace moving, especially when Alice White's character is playing around. Co-star Chester Morris, playing a questionable character, is smooth and quick thinking, a sure reason why any woman would choose him over some nerdy boyfriend (William Bakewell) on a tight budget. Bakewell's characterization becomes annoying at times, which makes one wish his role was awarded to someone in the class of Arthur Lake (Dagwood Bumstead in the "Blondie" film series a decade later), who would have played well as the rejected suitor that could meet with the approval from its movie audience for Lake's ability for intentional humor and conviction. One interesting distinction that gives PLAYING AROUND a sense of originality is the two minute recap of the 66 minute plot recaptured through scenes in song to "We Learn About Love Every Day" by off-screen male vocalist following the THE END title, with nice earful listening to old-style twenties orchestration. Marion Byron, who co-stars as loyal friend and co-worker, Maude, provides a touch of in-humor where she invites Sheba to the movies to see a film starring Al Jolson, "All talking, all singing, all weeping." Could she be making reference to his recent release of SAY IT WITH SONGS (1929)?

For all its worth, PLAYING AROUND may be a movie with the roaring twenties feel to it, and very vintage, but regardless of its age featuring flapper beauties, it's still interesting as well as entertaining. Though it doesn't play very often, it can still be found on the cable TV channel of rarely seen oldies on Turner Classic Movies, especially those starring Alice White where being a naughty flirt and playing around happens to be her livelihood as she learns more about love every day. (** roadsters)

Nice to meet you socially

[AAdaSC · 6/10 · 2 December 2018]

Soda jerk William Bakewell (Jack) works at a drugstore managed by Richard Carlyle (Pa) who has a daughter Alice White (Sheba). Alice and William are dating and the film starts in a swanky nightclub where poor William can't afford anything. Alice enters a 'best legs' competition on stage and is noticed by popular customer Chester Morris (Nickey). Oh dear, this doesn't bode well for poor William. Chester pursues Alice and we gradually realize that Chester isn't such a nice guy.

The musical numbers are entertaining in this film - there are three - and this adds to the film's enjoyment. The cast are ok, if slightly wooden, and you will have to sit through a couple of scenes with some irritating dialogue between 2 nosey neighbours. Those scenes could have been cut. The story is easy to follow, a little nonsensical at times, but it's a fun film to watch. Chester Morris reminds me of Ray Liotta.

A heavy-handed and obvious morality tale

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 13 December 2016]

If you're looking for a subtle film, then I suggest you not watch "Playing Around". It has a very heavy-handed moralistic plot and it practically bashes you over the head with its message.

When the film begins, Jack (William Bakewell) takes his date, Sheba (Alice White), to a night club. But he's shocked at the prices and can't possibly afford the place on his salary...which is understandable. What isn't understandable is the drip, Jack, insisting they just go home. Not surprisingly, Sheba is NOT happy about this and a fast-talking playboy, Nicky (Chester Morris) notices...and swoops in to impress the pretty lady. Soon Nicky and Sheba are dating...but trouble looms as Nicky is a cheap crook...and ends up shooting Sheba's father!!! It's the most insane of coincidences, that's for sure!

The coincidence is bad enough...but the film is so obvious and amateurishly written that I won't recommend you watch it. Not a terrible film exactly...but far from a good one! It's a shame as I usually love Chester Morris films.

Alice White - the Princess of Pep!!!!

[kidboots · 8/10 · 3 March 2010]

First National had a lot of faith in feisty Alice White - enough to give her the lead in "Playing Around". It was based on the story "Sheba" by Vina Delmar who had become an overnight sensation with her novel "Bad Girl" - she then proceeded to shock America with stories like "Sheba" and "Pick Up". Alice White had once been a secretary to Joseph Von Sternberg and later to Charlie Chaplin but her bubbling personality and cute looks couldn't keep her out of the movies - especially in Hollywood!!! She was First Nationals answer to Clara Bow but unfortunately her career was over before it got started. 1931, the year after "Playing Around" saw her in her last starring role "The Naughty Flirt" and after that she was reduced to supporting roles.

The movie starts off with a rousing number - "You're My Captain, Kid". It is part of a cabaret act set on a pirate ship - there is singing, dancing and exotic acrobatics. Sheba (Alice White) is taken there by her boyfriend Jack (William Bakewell) but she is turned off by his "penny pinching" comments - she wants the high life. Just as they are about to leave she impulsively enters a "legs" competition and wins. Her singing of "You Learn About Love Every Day" is cute and catches the eye of one of the judges, Nicky Solomon (Chester Morris) much to Jack's disgust - he doesn't like seeing her on display. He accuses her of "playing around" and not wanting to settle down.

Nicky finds Sheba on the sidewalk, having missed her bus and takes her to dinner and a show. Sheba is dazzled by his flashiness and fancy car but Nicky is a fake. He has no money and relies on petty robberies to keep him supplied with cash. One of these jobs takes him to Sheba's father's drug store where he shoots the elderly man in cold blood. There is an eye witness - Jack, who was unnoticed in a phone booth. Sheba is unaware that her father has been hurt but Jack is on the ball and by some smart detective work brings the cold blooded Nicky to justice.

This movie had a pretty good story and while Alice White may not win any acting awards she was very cute, as was Marion Byron, who had a small part as Maudie, a perky switchboard operator. Byron brightened up many movies of this vintage. Chester Morris was definitely on his way to better things. The same year he starred in "The Divorcée" and "The Big House".

Recommended.

Alice White Is A Delight

[HarleanHayworth · 10/10 · 10 February 2014]

Beautiful blonde flapper Sheba Miller (Alice White) wins a loveliest legs contest and is pursued by shady gangster Nickey Solomon (Chester Morris). She quickly dumps her poor boyfriend Jack (William Bakewell) to be with the handsome Nickey. Although Sheba thinks Nicky is rich he is actually deeply in debt.

*** SPOLERS ***

Desperate for cash Nickey robs a cigar store owned by Sheba's father and ends up shooting him. The only witness was Sheba's ex-boyfriend Jack. Nickey tries to get out of town but is caught by the police at the train station. Sheba reunites with Jack and accepts his marriage proposal.

Alice White gives a delightful performance as Sheba. She was a very beautiful and talented actress who deserves to be remembered today. One of the highlights of this film is Alice singing You Learn About Love Every Day. There were always rumors that Alice's singing voice was dubbed in her films but she sings this one live on stage.