Lee Dixon and Ross Alexander, struggling songwriters, are dancing in their boxers because the tailor has their pants. The tailor wants fifty cents for his work, but they haven't four bits between them and so must resort to musical distractions. "Every time I come up here," the tailor complains, "you sing me out of your pants."
Meanwhile, shipboard, Ruby Keeler and a bunch of other "college girls" put on a show for their fellow ocean liner passengers. They're amateurs—but this is a Warner Bros. musical, so the show is big and polished. Ruby does a great song and dance; she would love to be a real Broadway star, but she knows that could never happen .
Music and high spirits abound in this lively musical about getting one's big break. Keeler, of course, gets her shot at the big time, as do Dixon and Alexander. And of course there is a major complication.
Allen Jenkins is at his best as a failed stage actor who, having tried everything else, becomes an "agent" and thinks he sees his big chance when he overhears a telegram being phoned in, sending to England for a big star.
Louise Fazenda is very funny as Ruby's teacher or chaperone, who admits that she herself once had aspirations as an actress—and then spends most of the movie reciting jumbled bits of Shakespeare. She holds her purse like a skull: "Alas, poor Yorick," she intones, "I knew him intimately." (At which Allen Jenkins gives her a funny look: "What's your friend doing now?")
Ross Alexander, as the songwriter, has the privilege of speaking and then singing the film's great song, "Too Marvelous for Words." Keeler's most memorable dance is the finale, in which she and Dixon dance from key to key on a giant typewriter.
Somewhat oddly, Keeler doesn't really sing and Alexander doesn't dance, and so the leading couple don't do any true duets—Alexander sings to Ruby instead of with her, and Dixon fills in as dancing partner.
Overall, it's no classic but still very entertaining—especially for fans of Ruby Keeler's wonderful dancing.
Meanwhile, shipboard, Ruby Keeler and a bunch of other "college girls" put on a show for their fellow ocean liner passengers. They're amateurs—but this is a Warner Bros. musical, so the show is big and polished. Ruby does a great song and dance; she would love to be a real Broadway star, but she knows that could never happen .
Music and high spirits abound in this lively musical about getting one's big break. Keeler, of course, gets her shot at the big time, as do Dixon and Alexander. And of course there is a major complication.
Allen Jenkins is at his best as a failed stage actor who, having tried everything else, becomes an "agent" and thinks he sees his big chance when he overhears a telegram being phoned in, sending to England for a big star.
Louise Fazenda is very funny as Ruby's teacher or chaperone, who admits that she herself once had aspirations as an actress—and then spends most of the movie reciting jumbled bits of Shakespeare. She holds her purse like a skull: "Alas, poor Yorick," she intones, "I knew him intimately." (At which Allen Jenkins gives her a funny look: "What's your friend doing now?")
Ross Alexander, as the songwriter, has the privilege of speaking and then singing the film's great song, "Too Marvelous for Words." Keeler's most memorable dance is the finale, in which she and Dixon dance from key to key on a giant typewriter.
Somewhat oddly, Keeler doesn't really sing and Alexander doesn't dance, and so the leading couple don't do any true duets—Alexander sings to Ruby instead of with her, and Dixon fills in as dancing partner.
Overall, it's no classic but still very entertaining—especially for fans of Ruby Keeler's wonderful dancing.