One can see what was considered the main matinee "idol" or male star during the late 20's and early 30's. In this picture it is Eddie played by Charles King who comes off as a bossy and conceited song and dance man that Gene Kelly would emulate years later in Singin' In The Rain. Very similar in type in looks and attitude was Harry Richmond in Puttin On The Ritz.
shareTry watching this without thinking of Rickie Gervais.
There. You cannot unthink that now.
While I'm here, the acting in this is awful. I mean community theatre awful. And the dancing and choreography...good god...these were professionals?
The script is passable, tho this is really a series of vignettes held together by a silly love triangle spiced up by a hint of lesbianism.
The music and sets were a treat tho. Just a pity the number of times we get complete songs is pretty minimal. Everything is broken up. I guess they hadn't quite figured out yet that the 'star' of a musical film should be the music.