Review by Maliejandra

Cheer Up and Smile begins with Arthur Lake being harassed by his potential fraternity brothers, among them a young John Wayne. Eddie (Lake) has to kiss the next woman who talks to him, so he speeds by all the girls he sees so he can kiss his girl Margie (Dixie Lee) at the music shop. Of course his plans go awry, but that's okay. She's all for him. Eddie wants to be a musician and gets a chance to play on the radio with Whispering Jack Smith, but the club owner's wife (Olga Baclanova) has eyes for him and causes more trouble between him and Margie.

This is a harmless light film with a charming cast, with Lake in a role that emphasizes his abilities. The college setting makes it especially appealing because it shows off how much times have changed, and how much they've stayed the same.

This film was screened at Capitolfest in 2017.