This copy of this film on TCM was rough and appeared to be only a part of the movie that it once was. After watching it, during a Marie Dressler day, I wish more of this film existed.
What is here is a story about a Vaudeville road show spending it's season run on the road. There are some trials and rough spots between the folks. The train travel seems to get the best of most of them.
What is most interesting, is seeing a 35 year old Jack Benny as the stage manager trying to keep the peace between some distinctly strong personalities. What is left here works okay. It appears in 1929 that even though Benny is given opportunities to be funny here, he has not yet got the comedy timing down on film that would make him so famous later when he was 39. He does get some chances to shine.
I understand a whole lot of musical numbers are missing from this and I have no doubt that the entire ending is gone as on TCM the movie just seemed to stop abruptly. I have a feeling if it were all here, I might have given the film a higher rating. As it is though, I am glad to have seen what is left.
What is here is a story about a Vaudeville road show spending it's season run on the road. There are some trials and rough spots between the folks. The train travel seems to get the best of most of them.
What is most interesting, is seeing a 35 year old Jack Benny as the stage manager trying to keep the peace between some distinctly strong personalities. What is left here works okay. It appears in 1929 that even though Benny is given opportunities to be funny here, he has not yet got the comedy timing down on film that would make him so famous later when he was 39. He does get some chances to shine.
I understand a whole lot of musical numbers are missing from this and I have no doubt that the entire ending is gone as on TCM the movie just seemed to stop abruptly. I have a feeling if it were all here, I might have given the film a higher rating. As it is though, I am glad to have seen what is left.