Syncopation (1929 film): Difference between revisions

{{short description|1929 film by Bert Glennon}}

| caption = FilmTheatrical release poster

| producer = [[Robert Kane (producer)<br>Joseph|Robert I. Schnitzer (executive producer)Kane]]

| writer = [[Frances Agnew]] (adaptation)<br>Paul S. Haschke (titles)

| studio =
| distributor = [[RKO Radio Pictures]]

| gross = $1,250,000.2 million<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article32824883 |title=FILM WORLD. |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |location=Perth |date=19 October 19, 1934 |accessdate=19 April 19, 2014 |page=2 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

'''''Syncopation''''' is a 1929 American [[pre-Code]] [[musical film]] directed by [[Bert Glennon]] and starring [[Barbara Bennett]], [[Bobby Watson (actor)|Bobby Watson]], and [[Ian Hunter (actor)|Ian Hunter]], (although top billing went to [[Fred Waring]] and his [[Waring's Pennsylvanians|Pennsylvanians]]). It was the second film produced by [[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio Pictures]] and the first to be released by the studio, in March 1929;<ref name=RKO/> the company's first produced film, ''[[Street Girl]]'', was not released until August 1929. The film was made at the company's New York City studios<ref>Barrios, p. 83</ref> and is based on the novel ''Stepping High'' by [[Gene Markey]]. The film was heavily marketed on its release, being the first film to be broadcast over the radio, as well as RKO's first sound musical,{{citation needed|date=August 2018}} and was a significant success.<ref>Barrios, p. 83-84</ref>

Benny and Flo are a husband and wife dance team, Sloane and Darrel, traveling around the country as part of a revue. The revue gets picked up and taken to New York City, to be on Broadway. However, it quickly folds, and the two are forced to look for other employment. They eventually find work in a nightclub, becoming famous.

While performing at the nightclub, Flo becomes entranced by a young, sophisticated millionaire playboy, Winston. Swayed by his sweet words, Flo leaves Benny, and finds another dancing partner, who she pairs with in another revue, this one financed by Winston. However, her new act is a flop, and when Winston offers to take her to Europe, but is unwilling to marry her, she realizes the mistake she's made. She repents and returns to Benny, who takes her back and re-establishes their act, going back on the road.

*[[Dorothy Lee (actress)|Dorothy Lee]] as Peggy. This was Lee's (screen debut.)<ref>{{cite book | title=The Glamour Girls | last=Parish | first=James Robert | year=1977 | publisher=Rainbow Books | ISBNisbn=0895080028 | page=41}}</ref>

*"[[I'll Always Be in Love with You|I'll Always Be In Love With You]]" – Herman Ruby, Bud Green, & Sammy Stept<ref name=RKO/>

''Syncopation'' was shot in New York City. It was originally slated to be titled ''Stepping High''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/457974492/?terms=%22frances+agnew%22|title=31 Oct 1928, 18 - The San Francisco Examiner at Newspapers.com|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-February 16, 2019}}</ref>

When the film opened at the [[New York Hippodrome]], it had a run of two weeks, during which time it broke the records for that theater for a film.<ref name=RKO>{{cite book | title=The RKO Story | last1=Jewell | first1=Richard B. | last2=Harbin | first2=Vernon | publisher=Arlington House | year=1982 | place=New York | page=20 |ISBNisbn=0-517-546566}}</ref>

*{{tcmdbTCMDb title|92202|Syncopation}}

*{{AmgAllMovie movietitle|112540|Syncopation}}