MovieChat Forums > Something to Sing About (1937) Discussion > Very Entertaining Movie *SPOILERS*

Very Entertaining Movie *SPOILERS*


I got this flick on a cheap Cagney collection & must say that it was quite entertaining. Dated? My, yes, but that's only part of the joy of this movie. First off, Cagney is absolutely captivating as per usual. What an actor. I mean if he was around today he'd be the equivalent of Joe Pesci or Deniro . . . he really does have a mean/tough face & persona , something really sinister at times . . . but the man can dance & sing . . . & well! The opening scene when he is lip-synching the lyrics that the other band members are singing is very well-done . . . in fact that whole opening musical scene is really good with Cagney dancing up & down the set . . . the percussion rhyming his steps on the 'drum-stairs' . . . all really good . . . & his tap-dancing & dancing on the piano prop . . .really well done. The songs by his love interest don't come across so well . . . i like them but I think most would find them laughable & dated . . . I admit I did chuckle once in a while at the corniness of some of the lines . . . but why is this regarded as such a bad thing nowadays? i find the datedness often charming & interesting in these movies.
When Cagney is brought to Hollywood to do his movies & that scene where the stunt guys actually punch him & he beats the hell out of them & destroys the set . . . that was great . . . & of course how he becomes a star when he leaves hollywood, that was well done too. His dilemma is that he marries the singer in the band & doesn't want to pretend he's single for the benefit of his movie career & his heartthrob reputation . . . in the end he's so successful that his agent & the studio boss have to allow him to be publicly honest about his marriage.
This is a dated movie but it is very entertaining . . . There is a hilarious dance sequence on a ship with his band members that ends with one of them being tossed overboard (a hilariously obvious dummy!) & there are other great zany 30s comedy/musical moments. The innocence & joy of that era comes across here very well . . . it was a pleasure to watch . . . 6.5 outta 10

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