Twenty Million Sweethearts (1934)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Ray Enright

Writers:

Paul Finder Moss (story) &
Jerry Wald (story) ...

Release Date:

26 May 1934 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Plot:

Unscrupulous agent Pat O'Brien makes singing waiter Dick Powell a big radio star while Ginger Rogers, who has lost her own radio show, helps Powell.

Plot Keywords:

Radio | Waiter | Talent Scout | New York City | Restaurant

Cast

Pat O'Brien	...	Russell Edward 'Rush' Blake
Dick Powell	...	Buddy Clayton
Ginger Rogers	...	Peggy Cornell
Ted Fio Rito	...	Himself - Bandleader and Pianist
Allen Jenkins	...	'Uncle' Pete
Grant Mitchell	...	Chester A. Sharpe
Joseph Cawthorn	...	Mr. Herbert 'Herbie' Brokman (as Joseph Cawthorne)
Joan Wheeler	...	Marge, the Receptionist
Henry O'Neill	...	Lemuel Tappan
Johnny Arthur	...	Norma Hanson's Secretary
Jimmy Hollywood	...	One of The Three Radio Rogues) (voice) (as Jim Hollingwood)
Eddie Bartell	...	One of The Three Radio Rogues (voice)
Henry Taylor	...	One of The Three Radio Rogues (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
The Mills Brothers		(as The Four Mills Brothers)
Ted Fio Rito Orchestra	...	Themselves (as Ted Fio Rito and His Band)
The Radio Rogues		(as The Three Radio Rogues)

Also Known As:

Hot Air (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono | Vitaphone

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2637)

Company:

First National Pictures

Movie Connections:

Featured in Carnal Knowledge (1971)

Soundtrack:

What Are Your Intentions?

Forgotten Musical That's Great Fun

I found this film to be light hearted and great fun musically. Grant Mitchell almost steals the show as the near apoplectic manager of the radio station. It's always fun to see radio settings in old movies, as it's a form of entertainment (in this manner) long gone. Dick Powell displays the boyish charm that made him a hit in movies. Ginger Rogers, often overlooked as the great film actress that she was, gives her usual excellent performance as does Pat O'Brien. The opening of the film, with The Radio Rogues doing horrible impersonations of then celebrities (some of whom are long forgotten), gets off to a wobbly start, but things manage to pick up with O'Brien's character setting the pace. The Mills Brothers lend a wonderful contribution with their smooth effortless song style. I liked this film and would urge anyone who enjoys the music of the early and mid 1930s to tune in when it's scheduled.