Zis Boom Bah

Was this film a spoof? Of course, it's far fetched, but so are many films of this era. I thought it was delightful and happy to see family members playing together.

This feels very stilted and patronizing to a great extent. The whole plot is extremely forced - especially the "gallant" effort to save the college from ruin, and the moralistic overtone (especially by the leading lady) grates a bit.

But there are one or two comic moments that do help relieve the boredom, and the dancing is quite fun (especially for alleged amateurs - ha, ha!)

The shop proprietor and the young guy doing spectacular tap dancing were particular highlights. And I liked Peter Hayes impressions of Charles Laughton and Ronald Coleman as well.

A typical 1941 movie. Plenty of uniforms showing what is coming. Some good talent that you never heard of. More enjoyable than a Rooney/Garland let's put on a show movie. Just showed on UK Talking Pictures channel.

It is a shame that some of the critics of these films fail to take into account the time period when they were made. It seems they try to evaluate them according to the skills and talent of the 2007 era. I find this movie very entertaining, and for the time when made quite appropriate. I went to the movies back in those days and yelled and laughed just as much as the rest of the audience, never once trying to find something wrong with the acting or screenplay. Take for instance the fact that the singing was fully understandable and made sense, as compared to much of the music today with repetitious unintelligible singing by mostly non well trained singers. Of course this is my opinion. As to the tap dancing, I do not remember seeing any of that skill lately.

Often dressed for a funeral, matronly musical stage star Grace Hayes (as Grace Hayes) goes to college. There, she wants to put secret son Peter Lind Hayes (as Peter Kendricks) on the right track. He's been swallowing gold-fish, and acting bratty. Also appearing is pretty secretary Mary Healy (as Mary Healy), who makes romance with Mr. Hayes. The couple were married in real life, and Ms. Hayes really is his mother. Taking a break from his "East Side Kids" duties, Huntz Hall (as Skeets Skillhorn) performs as Hayes' musically schooled pal. Most of the time, "Zis Boom Bah" progressively lives up to the words of its title, with tap-dancer Roland Dupree (as Pee Wee) and the minor players bringing more punch to the revue.

**** Zis Boom Bah (11/7/41) William Nigh ~ Grace Hayes, Peter Lind Hayes, Mary Healy, Huntz Hall