College Swing

COLLEGE SWING (Paramount, 1938), directed by Raoul Walsh, the last of the studio's oddball "College" musicals of the 1930s, follows the tradition of COLLEGE HUMOR (1933), COLLEGE RHYTHM (1934) and COLLEGE HOLIDAY (1936), minus a football game climax. With the exception of "Rhythm," they all featured the comedy team of Burns and Allen. In spite of their names leading the cast, they have little to do together, with Gracie actually going solo this time around. Supporting them are an impressive number of performers: Bob Hope and Martha Raye singing and clowning together: Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan (former top child star of the 1920s) whose appearances are so brief that it would have been better had they not been included at all; and John Payne and Florence George (her movie debut) as the subordinate romantic pair having a couple of duets together, and not much else that would gather much attention

The story, such as it is, begins with a ten minute prologue set in early America, 1738, as a group of choir boys singing, with one suddenly going into swing. The youngster identifies himself as Benny Goodman!!! After that, there's an introduction to the main characters: Hubert Dash (Edward Everett Horton), founder of the the school, handing out diplomas on graduation day to every student but Gracie Alden (Gracie Allen), having been there for nine years and not understanding the answers to the questions. Her grandfather, the squire (Tully Marshall), decides to leave his money as permanent property of the school until such time a future female Alden graduates, leaving 1938 as the deadline. Move forward two hundred years. The school still stands, with new surroundings and hip youngsters such as Betty and Jackie (Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan) gathered together with fellow co-eds at an eatery called The Hangout. Gracie, the decedent of that Alden girl from 1738, having attended college for nine years, must pass her examination in order to graduate and inherit the fortune as required. With the help of Bob Brady (Bob Hope), her private tutor, he writes the answers on a laundry ticket placed on the bench beside her, with Gracie answering all the questions correctly, much to the surprise of George Jonas (George Burns), one of the committee members. After graduating, Gracie inherits the college and becomes the dean of men. Later, Bob encounters Mabel (Martha Raye), disguised as the French woman, Professor "Theresa," The two immediately hit it off and become an item of oddities; while Martin Bates (John Payne) falls in love with Virginia "Ginna" Ashburn (Florence George), the president's daughter after serenading to her dressed up as Cupid (being part of the initiation); Martin's uncle, Hubert Dash (Horton), a decedent of the founder of Alden College, who has a phobia towards women, becomes interested in Gracie to a point of asking her to marry him. When the faculty suspects Gracie hasn't passed her examinations honestly, it's agreed that she must take them again publicly, leaving Bob to think up a new scheme to have Gracie pass the exams or else he'll be out of $25,000.

With songs by Frank Loesser, Burton Lane, Hoagy Carmichael and Manning Sherwin, the motion picture soundtrack includes: "Ding Dong," (sung by Boy Choir); "College Swing" (Betty Grable and Skinney Ennis); "What Did Romeo Say to Juliet?" (John Payne and Florence George); "I'm Tired" (comedy act performed by The Slate Brothers); "How 'Ja Like to Love Me?" (sung by Martha Raye and Bob Hope); "Please?" (Jerry Colonna); "I Fall in Love With You Every Day" (Florence George and John Payne); "You're a Natural" (sung by Gracie Allen); "Irish Jig" (danced by Gracie Allen); "What a Rumba to Romance" (sung by Martha Raye, with Ben Blue); and "College Swing" (finale/ cast). With Raye hogging most of the songs, Gracie comes off best with her pleasing vocalization, even in character, and dancing wonderfully for no apparent reason.

In between the flimsy storyline are song and dance numbers with an assortment of characters whose roles are not fully developed. There's doses of comedy acts including the Slate Brothers (a cross between the Three Stooges and the Ritz Brothers) as slapstick waiters. In the tradition of the Three Stooges, there's eye-poking involved by the Slates, Martha Raye giving one to Bob Hope and Ben Blue (the latter in his usual interpretation of a confused individual). Jerry Colonna, the one with the large mustache and big round eyes, does one of his scream song signatures impersonating Bing Crosby. Look fast for Robert Cummings in a bit as a radio announcer; band-leader Skinney Ennis singing and dancing with Betty Grable; and Cecil Cunningham as Dean Sleet.

Of the "College" Paramount musicals, only COLLEGE SWING made it to video cassette in 1993 and later DVD as part of the "Bob Hope Signature Collection," double featured with Hope's feature debut, THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1938. (COLLEGE SWING did have a Turner Classic Movies broadcast (TCM premiere: October 4, 2018)). Both musicals have one thing in common, each containing a plot without a plot, relying mostly on old-fashioned vaudeville routines inter-wined with songs passing as a story. While not the best of its kind, COLLEGE SWING is good enough entertainment to pass along the time of 87 minutes, redeemed by familiar faces and future stars in so-so material and fine songs. A pity Burns and Allen didn't get to interact more together with their familiar routines. "Good Night, Gracie." .(**1/2)

"College Swing" is one of the many comedy-musical films that Hollywood produced during the 1930s. Once sound was added to motion pictures, it seems as though the public couldn't get enough of the variety type of musicals. As with most others, the plot is very thin, and in this one, very goofy. But it's just there to string together a number of very good songs, dance numbers and comedy routines. And "College Swing" is loaded with these and a great cast to carry them out.

Many big names of entertainment and the silver screen are in this film, most credited but some not. Films like this let the public see and hear a variety of otherwise unknown talents and groups perform. The band at the heart of the review numbers in the film is Skinnay Ennis. He didn't achieve the big-time fame of the likes of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, or some others. But his orchestras was a regular feature of Bob Hope's radio show, and later the Bud Abbott and Lou Costello radio show. His popularity from those led to solid bookings on the road circuit during summers.

Gracie Allen is the principal comedy character in "College Swing," followed by Martha Raye who also has some good musical numbers. Bob Hope's role was more as an emcee, although his character, Bud Brady, cooks up most of the shenanigans that provide some of the laughs. This film has a great supporting cast as well as some younger stars in small roles, such as Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan. This is a good film for those who enjoy swing music, especially as it was played and performed in its heyday.

If this movie was being reviewed as a "movie" the rating would not be very high. As a movie with a story it is quite weak. However (and this is a BIG however) it is a very good vehicle for the studio's stars. In a sense it is a 90 minute variety show from 1938. It has very good singing (one forgets how multi-talented many of the early stars of movies were), good dancing sequences, and some very funny slapstick sketches. Gracie Allen's skill at using language and to turn conversations upside down is very well showcased. She really was very good. And, she could sing well and could also dance. All three skills are shown during the movie. All of this makes the movie one to see and enjoy.

It's 1738, and schoolmaster Edward Everett Horton tells dimwitted student Gracie Allen (as a character named Gracie Alden) that he doubts if she could get her diploma in one hundred years. She is not discouraged: "Well, perhaps not that suddenly, doctor, but in 200 years I'll wager I couldst." --Fast forward to 1938, and a descendant—also named Gracie—is attempting once again to pass the graduation examination from Alden College.

Fast-talking agent Bob Hope has convinced Gracie to hire him as a tutor of sorts; as his fee depends on her successfully graduating, Hope naturally sets out to prepare her for the exam…by stealing a copy of the test questions.

Martha Raye is on hand as a would-be professor with a ridiculous phony French accent. She and Hope quickly strike up a romance and the chemistry between the two lights up their scenes together.

Soon enough, Edward Everett Horton returns to the action, this time around as an eccentric millionaire whose fear of women has kept him as far from civilization as possible. He is back at Alden College to monitor Gracie's exam and is accompanied by wry assistant George Burns.

George and Gracie have a good scene together during the examination: "What is it that runs across the floor like a goldfish?" she asks. (We never find out the answer.) Gracie also has some sweet scenes with Horton, who is charmed by her in spite of himself and his woman-phobia.

John Payne and Florence George play the handsome young romantic couple (and sing "What Did Romeo Say to Juliet?"). Betty Grable and Skinnay Ennis supply some swinging tunes and a great dance ("College Swing"). Hope and Raye also do a great duet—"How'dja Like To Love Me" is cute, bouncy, and really sweet, a highlight of the picture.

All in all, it's not much of a plot, but who cares? The songs are catchy and the entire cast is so much fun to watch: Hope is at his sharpest. Edward Everett Horton is perfect. Gracie is hilarious, Grable is lovely, and Raye is in superb voice. And that's not even mentioning supporting bits from Ben Blue as a mischievous "gym instructor," or the Slate Brothers as singing-and-dancing waiters. (Their "I'm tired" bit is another highlight.)

Mostly just silly stuff—but what fun.

During the thirties each studio had its musical specialty. Warners was cranking out the Busy Berkeley spectaculars; Fox had Shirley Temple and Alice Faye; Goldwyn had his annual Eddie Cantor extravaganza; RKO had Astaire and Rogers, and MGM was starting a tradition of big budget spectacles. Paramount went a little low brow, bringing out a series of somewhat goofy, utterly charming movies that were more like screwball comedies with music. And some surprisingly good music, too. Don't worry too much about the plot - just let yourself be thoroughly entertained by Bob Hope, Martha Raye, Edward Everett Horton, and Burns and Allen at their very best. As if to emphasize the lightness of the movie, at the end the entire cast waves goodbye to the audience.