L'alfabeto dell'amore

Stuffy music professor (Dick Powell) hates popular swing music but the only person interested in the rhapsody he's written is a pop music lyricist (Gale Page). She puts words to his music and turns it into a big hit with the swing crowd. The duo are very successful until a sexy singer (Ann Sheridan) tries to lure the professor astray.

Nice comedy with a good cast. Powell does fine but, despite the plot involving music, he never sings. He does learn what the A, B, and C types of love are from Gale Page and Ann Sheridan. Page is wonderful. She has a genial charm about her that is a joy to watch. Sheridan is sexy and, well, full of oomph! A very fun supporting cast with the likes of ZaSu Pitts, Maxie Rosenbloom, Allen Jenkins, and Vera Lewis. Granville Bates has a funny role as a judge. Songs are nothing special but the humor and likable cast helps.

Naughty But Nice is the story of a professor of music (Dick Powell) who wants his rhapsody to be published. His innocence and lack of taste buds rope him into a contract writing popular music with a female singer (Gale Page), a style that he hates. He becomes hugely popular, and another singer (Ann Sheridan) attempts to steal his talents for herself through shady means.

It is very strange to see Powell in such a film as the character he is. He is an extreme intellectual at the expense of his charm and handsomeness. He does get to show off his beautiful voice, but it is quickly and not very memorable. Zasu Pitts, a former silent movie star, makes a favorable impression as an eccentric and funny aunt of Powell.

There are some very enjoyable parts to the film, especially the bits about the lemonade, but it is rather predictable in places and somewhat dull in others.

I don't place comments on most of the movies I watch (and I am a major film buff, particularly the classics of the late 30's, 40's and 50's, but I felt it necessary here as most of the comments are based on viewers with a Dick Powell focus. Powell's heyday was a little prior the timeframe of my expertise so I am not commenting upon those comments, however, Ann Sheridan is one of the most underrated actresses in film and she is outstanding in this, not to mention gorgeous. The movie is more entertaining than Powell's fans have let on with the final third of the movie quite entertaining for anyone. The increasing frustration of Powell's collegiate colleagues culminating in breaking a tree limb is well done. The scene prior to the court trial with Sheridan slapping everyone repeatedly in the producer's office is outstanding and a "must see" for film fans.

Professor Donald Hardwick (Dick Powell) only teaches about "serious music" even though his students are crazy for swing. While in New York he decides to stop by and see his aunt Martha (Helen Broderick) even though his other three aunts are outraged by the idea because years ago, when young, she eloped with a saxophone player. They consider this to be a scandal.

While visiting, Hardwick visits a music publisher and plays one of the songs he has written, which the publisher buys. Bu Hardwick is horrified when he hears his song as it has been reworked by the publisher into "Hooray for Spinach!" as a popular rather than classical song. This gets Hardwicke caught up in the music publishing industry with people who are shrewder than he and ultimately ends up in court with Hardwick falsely accused of plagiarizing the music of an early 20th century composer.

This was passable entertainment, and not as inane as most production code B comedy films from Warner Brothers in the 1930s. On the plus side, you have veteran comedienne Zasu Pitts as one of Dick Powell's aunts and Ann Sheridan as a conniving chanteuse early in her career. Because it IS early in her career, Gale Page is the love interest for Powell's character in this one, and unfortunately she just doesn't leave much of an impression. Allen Jenkins, usually a sign that a low-brow extravaganza is going to ensue, doesn't do that much damage here but instead does something that makes his character out to be not only an ignoramus, but a real heel to boot. And what's worse the plot has him paying no price for his behavior. I'm being intentionally vague here.

Dick Powell started his film career in 1932 with the WB hit "Blessed Event" where he played radio star Bunny Harmon as a practically mute character other than for his singing. All through his seven years at Warner Brothers, the studio leaned in on Powell's singing ability and put him in light musical properties. This, his last film at Warner Brothers, was no exception and caused him to leave the studio in search of more serious roles that he probably correctly assumed that he would never get at WB.

Oh MY.... so many fun names in this. Ann Sheridan could play big parts, small parts, and do it well. check her out in Man Who Came to Dinner. Dick Powell, started out as a singer, did some singing/actor roles, then more serious film roles without the singing. the awesome sidekick Grady Sutton. Ronald Reagan, actor, governor, president! Helen Broderick, the amazing wisecracker in so many Fred Astaire films. Allen Jenkins and Jerry Colonna, always the co-stars. Vera Lewis. Don't forget the incredible Zasu Pitts... probably best known as the sweet, innocent girl who is about to get taken to the cleaners. WOW. the producers sure rounded up the cream of the crop! Zelda and Don (Sheridan and Powell) hit the charts with their new numbers, and the rest of the actors circle around with supporting roles. Colonna was a professional musician, so it was hard work for him to pretend to be awful. the story itself is rawtha silly, but it's great to see all these big names, who would go on to be even bigger. Sadly, Powell and Sheridan would both die quite young. Directed by Ray Enright. started with Mack Sennett in silents, on to the talkies! Catch this one, just for the various hollywood big wigs.