Thanks a Million (1935)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Roy Del Ruth

Writer:

Nunnally Johnson (screenplay)

Release Date:

15 November 1935 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Plot:

Entertainers enter a political rally to get out of the rain and become part of the show. One of them...

Plot Keywords:

Judge | Speech | Governor | Political Corruption | Election

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar.

Cast

Dick Powell	...	Eric Land
Ann Dvorak	...	Sally Mason
Fred Allen	...	Ned Lyman
Patsy Kelly	...	Phoebe Mason
Paul Whiteman and Orchestra	...	Band (as Paul Whiteman and Band)
Ramona	...	Specialty
Raymond Walburn	...	Judge Culliman
David Rubinoff	...	Violinist (as Rubinoff)
The Yacht Club Boys	...	Singing Quartet (as Yacht Club Boys)
Benny Baker	...	Tammany
Andrew Tombes	...	Mr. Grass
Alan Dinehart	...	Mr. Gilbert Kruger
Paul Harvey	...	Mr. Joe Maxwell
Edwin Maxwell	...	Mr. Casey
Margaret Irving	...	Mrs. Kay Kruger

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #1545) | USA:TV-G (TV rating)

Company:

20th Century Pictures

Trivia:

This was the first feature film of The Yacht Club Boys, Fred Allen and Margaret Irving.

Goofs:

Continuity: Position of Eric's trench coat collar changes between long-shots and close-ups when Sally and Eric plan an excursion from the remainder of their troupe and the politicians.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Dreamscape (1984)

Soundtrack:

New O'leans

Superb musical/satire - funny, melodic and fast-paced.

This is a gem of a film that deserves more recognition. It's both a musical (five songs) and a witty, snappy political satire. Sort of a combo of a Frank Capra approach and a Busby Berkeley syncopation. Dick Powell and Ann Dvorak are part of a stranded band who make some dough performing to bolster a governor want-to-be in his campaigning. Powell is so disingenuous that the crowds want him as governor, rather than the besotted candidate. So, on the wings of song, he campaigns. The screenplay is a winner with sharp and funny comments on political corruption and the easily swayed voting population. The sound is exceptionally good (It earned an Oscar nom) as is the Original Score. Fred Allen is marvelous as the con man band leader and Raymond Walburn is hilarious as the inebriated Judge Culliman. Patsy Kelly offers her usual wise-cracking support. The whole thing is a brilliant piece of movie making and very worth seeking out.