Amores de Opereta

As people have already noted, 'Ready, Willing and Able' is notable for being Ross Alexander's swansong before his tragic suicide and Ruby Keeler's last film for Warner Bros, but they certainly aren't the only notable factors of the film.

'Ready, Willing and Able' is not a great film, but it does have enough to make it watchable. Keeler is a very charming screen presence, and Alexander a likable leading man. Most of the supporting cast also fare well, with the hoots that are Allen Jenkins and Louisa Fazenda faring best. Wini Shaw is also very winning, as is Jane Wyman.

Of the song score, only one is really outstanding. That is the sublime "Too Marvellous for Words", though "Be Handy on Your Feet" is also catchy and "Just a Quiet Evening" very listenable. Don't remember much of the rest though. The classical music selections of Schumann, Chopin and Liszt are also a delight.

The film looks pretty good, apart from the odd tacky moment, it is very skilfully photographed and while not exactly expansive the set is generally a long way from cheap.

Conversely, to me Lee Dixon was wooden in acting and even more so in his dancing, which doesn't look natural or rhythmic at all. There is a lack of chemistry between Keeler and Dixon, though occasionally a sweet one with Alexander, just that one does miss Dick Powell (who one can't help thinking that he would have been a better choice). The story, even for a film musical, is overly simplistic, goes overboard with the silliness and dumbness and is as thin as thin ice.

Even flimsier is the hugely underwritten and dull script, that's far too lightweight. Of the choreography and dancing, the only one that stands out is the clever type-writing sequence. The others are pedestrian and under-cooked, am aware that one shouldn't expect Busby Bekeley to be involved in every film musical around this time but the songs generally did deserve better treatment than the indifference they were given here, this was a film that cried out for his involvement really.

All in all, watchable but not great. 5/10 Bethany Cox

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.

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.

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.

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.