Sitting on the Moon

This is quite a fun story that depicts just the efforts that folks will go to for stardom. Lyricist "Danny" (Roger Pryor) is determined to make a go of things with actress "Polly" (Grace Bradley) so he can kick-start her career but that can't happen whilst he is yoked to his writing partner "Mike" (William Newell). He's a bit devastated by these shenanigans and seeks some solace with her pal "Mattie" (Pert Kelton). Swiftly rejuvenated, somewhat, "Mike" decides it's time for a little retribution and so he sets about driving a wedge between the new lovers and this involves him playing quite an entertaining little game with "Blossom" (Joyce Compton) who he hopes to use as a tool to instil just an hint of jealousy. As you'd expect, this is all going to be a messy affair - but how much more so when someone tries to do a little bit of extorting too? It's all rather formulaic, sure, but there's just a soupçon of mischief going on here that Pryor, Newell and Compton work well to deliver as well as there being a little humour to be had from a script that's not exactly taxing, but amiable enough. There's probably a little too much of the indifferent title song, but at least Pryor and Bradley did their own singing and the whole thing rather effortlessly passes an hour that raises the odd smile, but that you'll never remember.

"Sitting on the Moon" is a pretty good B-movie, so don't believe the notion that Bs were bad. They weren't...they were just intended as an inexpensive second film at a double-feature.

Danny West (Roger Pryor) is a successful songwriter, though he isn't exactly disciplined. However, when he sees that Polly Blair (Grace Bradley) is out of work, he cleans himself up and helps her on her feet. You see, Polly had been a big movie star but had fallen on hard times...and he's determined to help her. And, help her he does. But in the meantime, Danny gets himself into hot water and it's time for Polly to return the favor.

"Sitting on the Moon" is a solid and enjoyable film. The title refers to a song Danny wrote for Polly and the acting and writing are very nice. In addition, look for Pert Kelton as Polly's friend. Pert was the original Alice from "The Honeymooners"...before Audrey Meadows.

When I looked at the main credits for this movie, I didn't expect much. Nat Levine producing for Republic? Ralph Staub directing? I certainly didn't expect this movie about mediocre songwriter Roger Pryor and washed-up star Grace Bradley falling in love and inspiring each other to success to be more than a cheap programmer, especially when the main supports are William Newell and the annoying Pert Kelton; it's not until I delved further into the cast list that I spotted Henry Kolker as a radio sponsor and Joyce Compton as the wife Pryor married on a toot in Tijuana that I saw anything to hope for.

Yet this cheaply done, cynical romantic comedy matches its subject so well, and Pryor and Bradley speak what would all too often be gushy lines simply, offers a good deal of charm to this this 53-minute B movie. Their characters' decency overcomes a few plot holes and a couple of decent songs fit the picture very well. While it's by no means a classic, it is an extremely engaging little flick.

Fates are thrown upside down in seconds in this film. One minute your the top of the bill, the next you're nobody. And I mean, NOBODY: starving, neglected... seems these people never heard of investing your money wisely. Harshness of Hollywood? Probably, or at least a 30s attempt to dramatize the life in the glamour city. The result isn't the best possible, but this flick is very likable nevertheless. The music is much, much better than the film - potential A-level material. And it gets a good treatment, especially during the last song, as Grace Bradley starts out a Capella when the orchestra leader rushes out. I like Grace Bradley very much. She's very pretty without trying to appear precious or overly sweet. There's a modern quality in her, and her voice - both when she speaks and when she sings - is top quality. I wonder why she never became a real queen of the screen. Really enjoyable 54 minutes. Included in Classic Musicals 50 Movie Pack.

I purchased this movie in a pack of musical DVDs and I'm tickled to have it because the star, Grace Bradley, is the wife of the cowboy star, Hopalong Cassidy (William Boyd, who died in the early 1970s). I've been looking for years for any movie that she was in. She is still alive and a very beautiful lady to be in her 90s. This movie was made around the time she and Bill Boyd married. She was interviewed in a documentary on Hopalong Cassidy and she is such a delight to watch. I've always wanted to see what she looked like when she was young, and she does not disappoint. I can see why Hoppy fell in love with her! Watch this movie just to see what "might have been" if she hadn't quit her career to marry Hoppy!