MovieChat Forums > Kid Nightingale (1939) Discussion > A Fast Paced Minor Comedy

A Fast Paced Minor Comedy


This 57 minute movie was shown on Turner Classic Channel last fall, and I watched it and laughed. That was the purpose for such minor films back in the 1930s. They were "B" features that came from the assembly line, but were saved by the spirit of the performers. In this case, four performers give it their all, and produce good results.

John Payne is a blue collar worker who happens to be good as a singer and as a boxer. He has the misfortune of gaining the attention of Walter Catlett, a fast talking "manager" with a questionable reputation. He points out that Payne could profit by becoming a boxer, if he hires Catlett. Payne is talked into it, although he soon wonders about the wisdom of this (after Catlett sells his car without telling him). Payne is willing to go because when they reach New York he can try to get a career as a singer (Catlett gives him a line about this too). Meanwhile, Catlett tries to interest an old rival, Edward Brophy, in buying Payne's contract. Brophy won't bite (he's been bitten before by Catlett and his scams). Everytime Brophy hears Catlett's name his ulcers act up. Payne wins a number of boxing matches, and as a gimmick he sings before the matches. He is trumpeted as a singing boxer. When he gets to New York he meets Jane Wyman, who encourages his singing plans.
This is not what Catlett wants, but he has a clever way of stopping this as quickly as possible (which I won't reveal).

The story sounds predictable, but Catlett, Brophy, and even Payne and Wyman manage to pump so much energy into the 57 minutes that the film is very lively and funny. The director was obviously pushing everything for the purpose of laughs. When Catlett sends a gift to Payne it is clearly a stolen item from some dive-sounding hotel. That kind of detail is really impressive. So is this short film which accomplishes what a good does - it entertains.

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An excellent review!

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