"On The Avenue" begins with a show. This is odd, as most 1930s stage musicals eventually end up with a show--but this one STARTS in the middle of one. The musical is ridiculous (as usual)--with over the top costumes and sets. It also features the Ritz Brothers as well as Alice Faye and Dick Powell. Uggh, I hate the Ritz Brothers' antics--which, often, make the Three Stooges look downright cerebral by comparison! Fortunately, they are not a huge focus of most of this film. The show culminates in a burlesque that makes fun of a famous explorer, Commodore Caraway. The Commodore happens to be in the audience and he and his daughter, Mimi (Madeleine Carroll) are NOT amused and they decide to sue. However, to prevent this, Gary Blake (Powell) promises to make major changes in the show. Most of this change of heart is because Gary is very smitten with Mimi...and she feels likewise. He eventually makes major changes--and the show really sucks as a result. In fact, it's so bad the Ritz Brothers come on the stage to 'save the day'! That's like getting rid of the Plague by giving someone Ebola!!! Either way, the public is NOT impressed. What's next? Do we even care?
This is a very slow and uneven film for many reasons. First, the characters are awfully one-dimensional. Part of this is because there are so many musical numbers, there's no time for character development. And, part of it is that they really don't seem all that likable. Including the Ritz Brothers and Stepin Fetchit didn't help, that's for sure. It's hard for a sane person to like the Ritzes and Fetchit is just an embarrassment to watch--though his stereotypical antics are FAR more restrained than usual thank goodness. The only big plus in the film COULD have been Alice Faye--but she just isn't given much to do because the filmmakers didn't realize she would very soon be a mega-star--far bigger than Powell or Carroll. Within a year of making "On The Avenue", Faye would be on to far better things and probably never looked back.
This is a very slow and uneven film for many reasons. First, the characters are awfully one-dimensional. Part of this is because there are so many musical numbers, there's no time for character development. And, part of it is that they really don't seem all that likable. Including the Ritz Brothers and Stepin Fetchit didn't help, that's for sure. It's hard for a sane person to like the Ritzes and Fetchit is just an embarrassment to watch--though his stereotypical antics are FAR more restrained than usual thank goodness. The only big plus in the film COULD have been Alice Faye--but she just isn't given much to do because the filmmakers didn't realize she would very soon be a mega-star--far bigger than Powell or Carroll. Within a year of making "On The Avenue", Faye would be on to far better things and probably never looked back.