Kicking the Moon Around

"The Playboy" is also known as "Kicking the Moon Around" and "Millionaire Merry-Go-Round." The latter title is probably for a TV release since it gives Maureen O'Hara billing in the title sequence along with Hal Thompson and Evelyn Dall. O'Hara plays the small role of the secretary in her film debut.

Plot has wealthy man (Thompson) pretends to be poor so he can ditch ambitious singer/girl friend Flo (Florence Desmond). She discovers the ruse and gets even by sabotaging the career of his new gal pal Pepper Martin (Dall) as she is about to debut as a nightclub singer with Bert Ambrose's band.

Ambrose was a major band leader in UK for decades and he appeared in about a half dozen films, always as himself. His best moment here is the "Night Ride" number.

American-born Evelyn Dall sings "No Songs About Love," " You're What's the Matter with Me," and " It's the Rhythm in Me." American Harry Richman also appears and sings "Mayfair Merry-Go-Round" and reprises "You're What's the Matter with Me." Highlight of the film is Desmond's terrific impersonations of Greta Garbo and Katharine Hepburn. Desmond was a big hit in the London production of "Auntie Mame" playing Vera Charles to Beatrice Lillie's Mame in 1958.

Co-stars include Edward Rigby and Max Bacon. Richman's final film appearance.