tramette89

I was initially drawn to the movie (pardon the bad pun) by the rather interesting looking artwork. I was expecting a high action story with a cyclist thievery plot and shady mob-goings on. But I was in for quite a surprise. Some people may find the movie's pace boring. I thought it was great, but some people may not take kindly to the almost complete lack of dialogue and absence of big action sequences. It is a slow-paced movie that ambles its way along, enthralling us at each new turn of the story. There are many genuinely funny moments, and the music is lots of fun. (I found myself singing the title song days after I returned my rented copy to the video store.) Madame Souza and Bruno are adorable, the big square French mobsters are great, and the crazy waiter is a riot! And you'll never look at a frog the same way again after...well, I won't spoil it for you by telling. Go see it yourself. And be sure to pay careful attention at the opening of the film to spot Django Reinhart, Josephine Baker, and Fred Astaire in animated cameos! (Of course, it figures that a French moviemaker would put a French jazz musician in the open!)

When I first saw this film, I was amazed at some parts and extremely disappointed at others. To be sure, the comedy acts are absolutely abysmal. (Audiences in 1930 didn't find them any funnier than audiences today, so don't feel too bad about hating them.) Also, a lot of the vocalists are grating and painful to listen to. Of course, the parts where the film really shines are the parts that feature the magnificent Paul Whiteman orchestra. This band has been unfairly maligned because although Paul Whiteman was titled "The King of Jazz", his orchestra was not a jazz band per se. But man, were they ever good musicians! Just get a load of the "Meet the Boys" segment towards the beginning...Harry Goldfield doing his best Henry Busse impersonation, Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang playing "Wildcat" in one of their few film appearances, the entire violin section playing a lovely rendition of Caprice Viennois, Chester Hazlett and Roy Bargy doing a pretty rendition of Nola, followed by Wilbur Hall's trombone virtuosity display on the same number. (And let's not forget little Mike Pingitore on "Linger Awhile"!)

Oh yes, and did I mention it has Bing Crosby's first appearance in a feature film? He's with the Rhythm Boys, and man, those guys are HOT! Just get a load of them on "Happy Feet". And check out eccentric dancer Al Norman if you want to see something really crazy.

Last but not least, I would like to mention Wilbur Hall's wonderful trick violin act, and, might I add, the most unique rendition of a Sousa march you'll ever hear in your lifetime. (You haven't heard "The Stars and Stripes Forever" until you've heard it on a bicycle pump!)

Go get yourself a copy and have fun!

Well, well well. What do we have here? A stupid hillbilly short. So we get to see a bunch of hick acts including a dancing man with big shoes (who's okay), a horrific female vocal trio, and an idiotic emcee. Oh. And the dog. Apparently hillbillies can't tell the difference between a drunkard and a dog. (It's a mystery how they ever got that dog into that little suit and hat!)

But amidst all the silliness and stupidity, a light shines out in the darkness...The Mound City Blue Blowers! Yes! Everybody's favorite comb-and-paper soloist, Red McKenzie, is there with his band. Jack Bland and a young Eddie Condon are on strings, and the three of them really heat things up. Unfortunately, the experience is marred by an awful man on whisk brooms and suitcase. Frank "Josh" Billings, with his blacked-out teeth and hillbilly haircut completely undercuts the greatness of the band, and, even more unfortunately, the camera remains on Billings and his suitcase most of the time, and not on the real musicians.

If you can get past the idiot hillbillies, then it's a good short. I suggest skipping the rest of the short and watching only the part with the Blue Blowers. And I suggest watching that part with your eyes shut.