The Goldwyn Follies (1938)

The Goldwyn Follies: Directed by George Marshall, H.C. Potter. With Adolphe Menjou, The Ritz Brothers, Vera Zorina, Kenny Baker. Movie producer chooses a simple girl to be “Miss Humanity” and to critically evalute his movies from the point of view of the ordinary person. Hit song: “Love Walked In.

“I wonu0026#39;t be as harsh as the other writer, but this movie is pretty much a mess. It almost looks like a showcase for u0026quot;up-and-comingu0026quot; actors, anchored by Adolphe Monjou. I donu0026#39;t know why Andrea Leeds disappeared, sheu0026#39;s no better or worse than anyone else from the era, and very pretty besides. Reminded me of Donna Reed. Kenny Baker is doing a great Dick Powell, only a few years too late. His type of part was becoming obsolete. He is very good here and 9 years later in u0026quot;The Harvey Girlsu0026quot;. But musical numbers come out of nowhere, and suddenly you hear Helen Jepson and Charles Cullman from the Metropolitan Opera, and see Vera Zorina the ballerina (quite funny in her comedy scenes). I never got the appeal of the Ritz Brothers. Itu0026#39;s nice (and rare) to see Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Bergenu0026#39;s timing is impeccable, and Charlie, is, well, Charlie. I sort of see why they were successful on radio. Monjou is on autopilot, but he canu0026#39;t do much else in this creaky vehicle. Ignore the plot, watch the individual scenes. Pretty to look at, but donu0026#39;t think too much.”