The plot of this film is very simple: a provincial band leader goes to Hollywood, in spite of his success, he returns to his old band. But we do not watch this film for its intricate subplots. It's song and dance time, which was director Victor Schertzinger's forte.
In one of Cagney's dance sequences, there is stepping on a keyboard which reminds me of the Penny Marshall directed toy department scene in "Big." Some excellent performances here. Cagney of course. William Frawley is excellent too. I remember him as Bub in the TV series "My Three Sons". Schertzinger directed Damita in a couple of films, so he has Mona Barrie play a Damita-type leading lady with a foreign accent, Damita's vocal flourishes and arm-throwing. It's an utter disaster. Otherwise Schertzinger's direction is much improved compared with his earlier RKO work.
In one of Cagney's dance sequences, there is stepping on a keyboard which reminds me of the Penny Marshall directed toy department scene in "Big." Some excellent performances here. Cagney of course. William Frawley is excellent too. I remember him as Bub in the TV series "My Three Sons". Schertzinger directed Damita in a couple of films, so he has Mona Barrie play a Damita-type leading lady with a foreign accent, Damita's vocal flourishes and arm-throwing. It's an utter disaster. Otherwise Schertzinger's direction is much improved compared with his earlier RKO work.