Old Man Rhythm (1935)

Excellent adaptation.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

This is definitely a "B" movie churned out by RKO to fill its theaters. It is a very good B movie with lots of talented people who didn't get a lot of exposure. The most famous name is Betty Grable and a fading overage Buddy Rogers. The musical numbers are well staged (by Hermes Pan) and lively, are very witty, and due to Johnny Mercer, who is one of the stars, has some very good lyrics. The plot is nonsense and doesn't get in the way of the musical numbers. I only wish college had been like this. Did every college have an ice cream shop? The opening titles are very interestingly staged. Eric Blore is amusing and gets to explain the difference between male and female fleas. Erik Rhodes does his Italian thing, and George Barbier as Buddy's father seems to be enjoying himself. You will too.

Oh, come on, I said to myself. Sometimes you expect too much. It's just a second-billed, minor musical, so what's the big deal? I don't often make sense when speaking to myself, but this time I just went with the movie and had a good time, at that. The plot gets pretty far afield and far from reality but you have to appreciate the raw energy of the performers in bringing this trifle to comparative life.The storyline has been summarized by several contributors and everything they say is on the mark; goofy, absurd, nonsensical, gets in the way of the music, etc. but the musical numbers here (all unheard-of songs which never became standards) really enliven the picture and the wait between them is worth your while. The stars are 'B-list' Hollywood stars interspersed with some good character actors, among them Eric Blore, Erik Rhodes, Donald Meek and George Barbier. Also in the cast is Johnny Mercer who wrote the lyrics to all the songs.Not for modern tastes as clothing styles and college activities (everyone meets at the soda shop?) are very old-fashioned, but you'll especially enjoy "Old Man Rhythm" if you are of a certain age, say around WW II and before. I hope that doesn't make us too old!

In which a dad enrolls in college when he learns his son has become infatuated with a blonde (dad prefers a different gal for junior). Dad is soon strolling around campus in freshman beanie and getting into trouble for walking on the sophomore pathway. When he sees that sonny is set on sticking with the blonde, he gets advised from a fellow student in the know - she's a gold-digger. So - dad pretends his business is going bust to get the gold-digger to leave his son alone!This film is a bit of fluff, mainly held together by some really good musical numbers. The opening scene features a train ride to college, full of the students singing a very catchy tune - I particularly enjoyed this number. Best of all - one of the students is played by a very young and beautiful Betty Grable who sings, tap dances on pointe, and charms her way across the screen to coming super-stardom - every time she is on screen she is all you can look at! The story in this isn't the greatest, and Buddy Rogers (who I love in silent films) is a bit of a dud here, though still pretty handsome to look at - he even sings (or is dubbed, I'm not sure) a rather lackluster number himself. Enjoyable, light fare.

The plot is silly and the songs are mostly unmemorable, but there are small pleasures to enjoy in this film. First, there's fifth-billed Betty Grable, who is featured in several songs. And she does a rapid-fire tap dance on her toes, ballet style, that seemed very difficult. I never thought her talent extended to the tips of her toes. Next, there's a character called "Blimp," played by heavy-set Sonny Lamont. He does acrobatic dancing usually reserved for people much lighter on their feet. I also enjoyed seeing the great lyricist, Johnny Mercer, in the first of his two acting roles. He seemed to have a natural acting talent that made me wonder why he didn't appear in more films. Finally, there was the challenge and pleasure in spotting Lucille Ball in an early uncredited nonspeaking part. She's there, but I had to re-run the tape and take my focus away from the action and look in the background.