Amores de Opereta

Musical play writers Ross Alexander (as Barry Granville) and Lee Dixon (as Pinky Blair) work out a song and dance while their pants are being pressed. Playing modest for the movie studio, both Mr. Alexander and Mr. Dixon prefer boxers to briefs. The enthusiastic duo may have a tuneful Broadway hit on their hands. A backer mandates they hire an English actress to star, and agent Allen Jenkins (as J. Van Courtland) goes to pick her up. But Mr. Jenkins accidentally signs similarly named Ruby Keeler (as Jane Clarke), putting the show in jeopardy - she's no actress, but is she "Ready, Willing and Able"?

This was, most notably, the last film appearance for Ross Alexander, who ended his life with a suicide...

In what looks like a marketing decision, Warner Bros. likely switched Alexander's billing with Dixon's (he would have his most memorable success on Broadway with "Okalahoma!" before succumbing to alcoholism). Despite the sadness, the show goes on with the happy-go-lucky duo playing well together. Alexander's best moment is emotionally introducing "Too Marvelous for Words" to Ms. Keeler; she and Dixon have a memorable dancing sequence, showcasing the #1 hit show-stopper. Also, there are appearances by past favorite Louise Fazenda (as Clara) and future favorite Jane Wyman (as Dot).

***** Ready, Willing and Able (3/6/37) Ray Enright ~ Ruby Keeler, Ross Alexander, Lee Dixon, Allen Jenkins

This movie is very nice. Not a must see but worth seeing. Ruby Keeler is always fun and pretty to watch. She dances fine in the movie. Carol Hughes is beautiful. Wini Shaw is an excellent singer and very beautiful. But she sounds a lot like Helen Morgan which is something that might of stopped her from gaining more fame. Ross Alexander is attractive and has a nice voice but he's no Dick Powell which stopped him from gaining fame at Warner Bros. Louise Fazenda is funny as usual. Anyone who criticizes Ruby's dancing, should see this movie, she dances quite well in "Handy with your feet" number. She acts fine and naturally as a girl in her position would.

Ready Willing and Able (Warner Brothers, 1937). I finally had a chance to see this film and I have to admit, it's a cute little film from Warner Brothers in the late 30's. The actors seem like as though they are having a lot of fun and the musical numbers especially "Too Marvelous for Words" and "Just a Quiet Evening" are great. However, while watching this film, I feel a little sad for the late Ross Alexander who plays Barry Granville. Ross Alexander was very talented, nice looking, and had a great screen presence, but I guess Warners didn't know what to do with him. It seems as though his role was originally intended for Dick Powell, but he may have been unavailable. Keeler and Alexander have good screen chemistry and if he didn't die, maybe they would have made more films together.

Overall, a nice way to pass time. Definitely check out it.

Lee Dixon and Ross Alexander, struggling songwriters, are dancing in their boxers because the tailor has their pants. The tailor wants fifty cents for his work, but they haven't four bits between them and so must resort to musical distractions. "Every time I come up here," the tailor complains, "you sing me out of your pants."

Meanwhile, shipboard, Ruby Keeler and a bunch of other "college girls" put on a show for their fellow ocean liner passengers. They're amateurs—but this is a Warner Bros. musical, so the show is big and polished. Ruby does a great song and dance; she would love to be a real Broadway star, but she knows that could never happen….

Music and high spirits abound in this lively musical about getting one's big break. Keeler, of course, gets her shot at the big time, as do Dixon and Alexander. And of course there is a major complication.

Allen Jenkins is at his best as a failed stage actor who, having tried everything else, becomes an "agent" and thinks he sees his big chance when he overhears a telegram being phoned in, sending to England for a big star.

Louise Fazenda is very funny as Ruby's teacher or chaperone, who admits that she herself once had aspirations as an actress—and then spends most of the movie reciting jumbled bits of Shakespeare. She holds her purse like a skull: "Alas, poor Yorick," she intones, "I knew him…intimately." (At which Allen Jenkins gives her a funny look: "What's your friend doing now?")

Ross Alexander, as the songwriter, has the privilege of speaking and then singing the film's great song, "Too Marvelous for Words." Keeler's most memorable dance is the finale, in which she and Dixon dance from key to key on a giant typewriter.

Somewhat oddly, Keeler doesn't really sing and Alexander doesn't dance, and so the leading couple don't do any true duets—Alexander sings to Ruby instead of with her, and Dixon fills in as dancing partner.

Overall, it's no classic but still very entertaining—especially for fans of Ruby Keeler's wonderful dancing.

This film is of a long lost art--the lighthearted, unpretentious tuneful musical that provides breezy entertainment without apology. One number, "Be Handy With Your Feet," is actually rather catchy and fun, and shows Ruby Keeler off quite well. Even the chorines look like they're having fun. The casual opulence of the set (a kind of nightclub on an ocean liner) is another example of how even "B" films from a major studio gave a certain panache to frivolity far and above what was required. Overall, not bad at all.