The Life of the Party

Harriet Hilliard stars as a prospective band singer. On her way to an important audition, she meets Gene Raymond. When she gets her high heel caught between two train cars, Mr. Raymond is smitten; he tries to pry her high heel loose. They find themselves playing out their cat and mouse romance at the same hotel. Joe Penner and a host of comedians become involved with the couple.

Of particular interest; Ms. Hilliard (Harriet Nelson, of course) in a musical comedy performance more reminiscent of later "Lucy" than later "Harriet"; her "Let's Have Another Cigarette" is an ironic highlight. Ann Miller brackets the film with a couple of tap dances, but has no film role; her finale is another highlight. And, Mr. Penner's infantile funnyman antics are a precursor to Jerry Lewis. The film's story is somewhat difficult to follow, weakening several situation comedy possibilities.

**** The Life of the Party (9/3/37) William A. Seiter ~ Harriet Hilliard, Gene Raymond, Joe Penner, Ann Miller

Harriet Hilliard was Ozzie Nelson's singer for his band. Later, he became Rick Nelson's agent. Ozzie was a lawyer but never practiced. He kept Rick busy with prostitutes instead of getting involved with dangerous groupies. I knew Rick well, because of our travels to common cities, starting with Roger Miller's King Of The Road hotel in Nashville to Joe Namath's Bachelor's Two in Fort Lauderdale and on and on and on. Nice guy; I still miss him.

But, back to Harriet. She was really cute in this film. As my summary states: 'Ozzie's Wife Makes This Film.' Had she not married Ozzie, I think she would have become a major star. She was even believable as the wife, mother, housekeeper in 'The Adventures of Ozzie And Harriet.' Notice, Harriet didn't have a maid and Ozzie was always home wearing a cardigan sweater. He must have been an insurance salesperson. I didn't meet Rick until the Stone Canyon days, but 'Garden Party' is in my top ten of all pop songs - and I'm 72, still a music lover.

Harriet was devastated by Rick's plane crash and she died before David did, thank God. Harriet Hilliard Nelson was a beautiful woman of high moral values and so were Ozzie, David and Rick. They are icons of the best of American life.

A parade of comedians that you'll probably recognize from being parodied in old Warner Bros. cartoons. The whole film is real fluff. It's not unbearable but sort of fun. The pace keeps it moving, so if you want a place to see "forgotten" talent from the thirties, you couldn't go too wrong here.

This film is mostly notable for the performance of Joe Penner. It's very clear from whom Jerry Lewis got his inspiration. Penner utilizes a lot of the little boy mannerisms that Lewis later made famous. The difference here is that Penner is on his own. He doesn't have a sidekick to bounce off of, although Lewis eventually didn't either. Lewis has a more spastic visual comedy comedy style but much of his act is here in Penner. Just for the historical info this is a good movie for the classical film buff.

A very young Ann Miller does a tap dance towards the end.

Film history fun, not great but enjoyable.

This curiosity from RKO manages to build a decent musical comedy out of a featherweight plot and an assortment of performers typically found in supporting roles or doing specialty turns in higher-budgeted films. With no "stars," only one singer and just one dancer, the picture understandably emphasizes comedy. Whether or not the intended comedy is funny depends, as always, on one's personal taste. But here you at least get choices from among players who built careers out of doing one thing well - i.e., well enough to create a following: Joe Penner, Parkyakarkas, Billy Gilbert, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick, Franklin Pangborn, Margaret Dumont. Yes, they're all here. And Ann Miller, in two sizzling tap routines, compensates for the bland leading man and lady (Gene Raymond and Harriet Hilliard), and the second-rate songs. There is so much going on here that you are bound to find something you like.

Here's a piece of fluff that is slim on plot but FILLED with talent. This small movie is all of 70 minutes. Boring? not on your life so be prepared to SWING. Check the talent..heck they were the top of the heap. The last scene has Harriet Hilliard in a stunning gown that was eons away from the Ozzie and Harriet Show..That's not a slam so check out her vocal talent.

I have not much to contribute except PLEASE be a fan of the simple 1930's and 1940's films that were evidently produced to make one smile and leave their troubles behind. Here is a goody. The fabulous TCM has a habit of showing let alone introducing people to what being memorized through cinema is all about.. The topping about this movie is the music SWINGS...

OH...I only gave it a rating because I had to...