Outstanding musical biography, with absolutely stunning costumes (Travis Banton), fabulous music and all the joy of old vaudeville. The cast is great. Alice Faye is terrific and she gets solid support.The screenplay by William Anthony McGuire — he of The Kid from Spain, The Great Ziegfeld, Rosalie, etc — has been unjustly criticized in many quarters as being too long and not fulfilling its initial promise. I reject these accusations. I thought McGuire's script not only recreated some of the great personalities of the Russell era, but gave all the star and featured players excellent opportunities to shine. Another of the film's great assets is Leon Shamroy's lustrous black-and-white photography. The fabulous art direction must also be wholeheartedly commended.
Irving Cummings (formerly an actor in Lillian Russell's company) has directed with grace, style and affection, ably assisted by the marvelously vigorous dance direction of Seymour Felix. The outstanding music score was directed by Emil Newman. One of the most effective numbers is a song, "Blue Lovebird", especially composed for the film by Gus Kahn (lyrics) and Bronislau Kaper (music). Notice the splendid use Newman makes of this by underscoring the scene prior to Solomon's death with it and hitting the actual death- scene with a discord, which is repeated in a reprise skilfully arranged by director Cummings and film editor Todd. And a following scene, breathtakingly photographed by Leon Shamroy, also represents yet another outstanding example of creative and masterly film editing. Here, Alice Faye, dressed in a fabulous black gown, appears against a solid black backdrop, first in long shot, then medium, then in close-up, and finally back to long shot for a glorious finale.
Irving Cummings (formerly an actor in Lillian Russell's company) has directed with grace, style and affection, ably assisted by the marvelously vigorous dance direction of Seymour Felix. The outstanding music score was directed by Emil Newman. One of the most effective numbers is a song, "Blue Lovebird", especially composed for the film by Gus Kahn (lyrics) and Bronislau Kaper (music). Notice the splendid use Newman makes of this by underscoring the scene prior to Solomon's death with it and hitting the actual death- scene with a discord, which is repeated in a reprise skilfully arranged by director Cummings and film editor Todd. And a following scene, breathtakingly photographed by Leon Shamroy, also represents yet another outstanding example of creative and masterly film editing. Here, Alice Faye, dressed in a fabulous black gown, appears against a solid black backdrop, first in long shot, then medium, then in close-up, and finally back to long shot for a glorious finale.