"On the Avenue" is a very good comedy musical and romance that stars Dick Powell and Madeleine Carroll. It also features Alice Faye, the up and coming singing star who was just in her 12th film. The next year she would appear with Tyrone Power and Don Ameche in what would be her breakout film, "In Old Chicago."
In this film, Faye sings with Powell in a Broadway play that is the source of most of the music and comedy within the comedy. They play Mona Merrick and Gary Blake, the stars of the new Broadway musical, within this musical, by the same name. The romance comes later, along with more good comedy in the home of the Caraway's with Madeleine Carroll's Mimi, her father, Commodore Caraway, and Aunt Fritz. They are played by George Barbier and Cora Witherspoon.
A good supporting cast includes some of the icons of film comedy during Hollywood's golden era. Alan Mowbray heads this lot that includes Sig Ruman, Walter Catlett, Billy Gilbert and E. E. Clive. The music and songs are all by Irving Berlin. Berlin had one hit tune written for this picture that remains popular well into the 21st century - "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." The film also included his hit tune that Fred Astaire sang first in "Top Hat" of 1935 - "Cheek to Cheek."
This film has a somewhat original plot and good story, with a fine mix of music, comedy and a little serious romance. Here are some favorite lines.
Frederick Sims, "After all, is the polar bear disturbed by the horsefly?"
Commodore Caraway, "What in heaven's name are you doing in that fantastic costume?" Aunt Fritz, "I've gone Russian." Commodore, "You've gone crazy."
Aunt Fritz, "Some women get married again, others get rheumatism, I'm studying Russian ballet."
Commodore Caraway, "Do you realize that our family honor has been outraged?" Aunt Fritz, "Family honor? Popcorn and peanuts."
Aunt Fritz, to the commodore, "Perhaps you've forgotten that your grandfather was a horse thief." Mimi Caraway, "Oh, dad, that's where I get my love of horses."
Frederick Sims, "People in the public eye must expect to be caricatured. That is the price of fame."
Mimi Caraway, after greeting a couple she knows on the dance floor, "Oh, uh, I want you to meet Mr., uh, uh... By the way, what is your name?" Gary Blake, "Hossinfeffer." Mimi, "Mr. Hossinfeffer, Mr. And Mrs. Wallace."
Gary Blake, after greeting a couple he bumps into on the dance floor, "Oh, may I present Miss... What is your name?" Mimi Caraway, "Hossinfeffer." Blake, "Miss Hossinfeffer, Mr. And Mrs. Jackson."
Mimi Caraway, looking at a donut, "I wonder what the holes are for?" Gary Blake, "Ventilation."
Gary Blake, "I'm Gary Blake." Joe Papaloupas, "That's not my fault."
Mimi Caraway, "I'm Mimi Caraway." Joe Papaloupas, "That's fine. I'm Joe Papaloupas. So what?"
Aunt Fritz, "I haven't laughed so much since the night you kicked the butler in the pantry and broke your big toe."
Eddie Eads, "Aw, don't let it get ya boss. Maybe they won't sue ya." Jack Dibble, "Say, when people are that rich, they'll do anything for money."
Mimi Caraway, "So let's stop beating around the bush." Jack Dibble, "Yes, I guess I better stop that."
In this film, Faye sings with Powell in a Broadway play that is the source of most of the music and comedy within the comedy. They play Mona Merrick and Gary Blake, the stars of the new Broadway musical, within this musical, by the same name. The romance comes later, along with more good comedy in the home of the Caraway's with Madeleine Carroll's Mimi, her father, Commodore Caraway, and Aunt Fritz. They are played by George Barbier and Cora Witherspoon.
A good supporting cast includes some of the icons of film comedy during Hollywood's golden era. Alan Mowbray heads this lot that includes Sig Ruman, Walter Catlett, Billy Gilbert and E. E. Clive. The music and songs are all by Irving Berlin. Berlin had one hit tune written for this picture that remains popular well into the 21st century - "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm." The film also included his hit tune that Fred Astaire sang first in "Top Hat" of 1935 - "Cheek to Cheek."
This film has a somewhat original plot and good story, with a fine mix of music, comedy and a little serious romance. Here are some favorite lines.
Frederick Sims, "After all, is the polar bear disturbed by the horsefly?"
Commodore Caraway, "What in heaven's name are you doing in that fantastic costume?" Aunt Fritz, "I've gone Russian." Commodore, "You've gone crazy."
Aunt Fritz, "Some women get married again, others get rheumatism, I'm studying Russian ballet."
Commodore Caraway, "Do you realize that our family honor has been outraged?" Aunt Fritz, "Family honor? Popcorn and peanuts."
Aunt Fritz, to the commodore, "Perhaps you've forgotten that your grandfather was a horse thief." Mimi Caraway, "Oh, dad, that's where I get my love of horses."
Frederick Sims, "People in the public eye must expect to be caricatured. That is the price of fame."
Mimi Caraway, after greeting a couple she knows on the dance floor, "Oh, uh, I want you to meet Mr., uh, uh... By the way, what is your name?" Gary Blake, "Hossinfeffer." Mimi, "Mr. Hossinfeffer, Mr. And Mrs. Wallace."
Gary Blake, after greeting a couple he bumps into on the dance floor, "Oh, may I present Miss... What is your name?" Mimi Caraway, "Hossinfeffer." Blake, "Miss Hossinfeffer, Mr. And Mrs. Jackson."
Mimi Caraway, looking at a donut, "I wonder what the holes are for?" Gary Blake, "Ventilation."
Gary Blake, "I'm Gary Blake." Joe Papaloupas, "That's not my fault."
Mimi Caraway, "I'm Mimi Caraway." Joe Papaloupas, "That's fine. I'm Joe Papaloupas. So what?"
Aunt Fritz, "I haven't laughed so much since the night you kicked the butler in the pantry and broke your big toe."
Eddie Eads, "Aw, don't let it get ya boss. Maybe they won't sue ya." Jack Dibble, "Say, when people are that rich, they'll do anything for money."
Mimi Caraway, "So let's stop beating around the bush." Jack Dibble, "Yes, I guess I better stop that."