Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Sweet Adeline

Sweet Adeline


Warner Bros., 1935, B/W, 87 minutes, ***½

Released December, 1934



A top-notch score by Kern and Hammerstein highlights this lively musical romance starring Irene Dunne as the sweetheart of a Hoboken beer garden in the Gay Nineties who falls for a dapper songwriter (Donald Woods). Songs include "Here Am I," "'Twas Not Long Ago," "Don't Ever Leave Me," and more. The period costumes, sets and props are fantastic!



"Sweet Adeline" was a stage musical with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, II, and music by Jerome Kern. It was originally produced in 1929. I have no idea how faithful this film is to the original play, but I do know that one or more new songs were added to the song score specifically for the film. The film is somewhat similar to "42nd Street" in that it has a lot of backstage scenes and romances. Hugh Herbert, Nydia Westman and Ned Sparks practically steal the entire show, but Irene Dunne is in fine voice, and the film is very entertaining.



Producer; Edward Chodorov

Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy

Screen Play by: Erwin S. Gelsey

Music and Lyrics by: Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammersteien, II

Orchestral Arrangements: Ray Heindorf

Ensembles Directed by: Bobby Connolly

Vitaphone Orchestra Conducted by: Leo F. Forbstein

Art Director: Robert Haas

Gowns by: Orry-Kelly

Sound: Charles David Forrest

Photography by: Sol Polito

Film Editor: Ralph Dawson



Cast: Irene Dunne [Adeline Schmidt], Donald Woods [Sid Barnett], Hugh Herbert [Rupert Rockingham], Ned Sparks [Dan Herziq], Joseph Cawthorn [Oscar Schmidt], Winifred Shaw [Elysia], Louis Calhern [Major Day], Nydia Westman [Nellie Schmidt], Dorothy Dare [Dot], Phil Regan [Michael], Additional Cast: Don Alvarado [Renaldo], Jack Mulhall [Bob], Noah Beery, Sr. [Sultan], Martin Garralaga [Dark Young Man], Emmett Vogan [Captain], Howard Dickinson [Civilian], Eddie Shubert [Eddie], Nick Copeland [Prop Man], Ferdinand Munier [General Hawks], William V. Mong [Cobbler], Johnny Eppelite [Young Jolson], Mary Treen [Girl], Milton Kibbee [Stagehand], Joe Bernard [Waiter], Charles Hickman [Manx], Howard Mitchell [Bartender], Landers Stevens, William Arnold [Men], Evelyn Wynans [Woman], David Newell [Young Man]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:02] Play Us a Polka Dot (sung by Dorothy Dare and patrons at Schmidt's Beer Garden, accompanied by all-girls band); [0:13] Here Am I (sung by Irene Dunne); [0:14] (There'll Be A) Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight (excerpt sung by crowd); [0:14] We Were So Young (sung by Irene Dunne); [0:21] Why Was I Born (sung by Winifred Shaw); [0:25] Why Was I Born (sung by Irene Dunne); [0:36] Oriental Moon (sung by Noah Beery, Sr.); [0:39] Molly O'Donohue (sung by Phil Regan, danced by Girls Chorus); [0:44] Lonely Feet (sung by Irene Dunne); [0:47] I'd Leave My Happy Home for You (excerpt sung by Johnny Eppelite as young Al Jolson); [0:52] 'Twas Not So Long Ago (sung by Hugh Herbert, Irene Dunne, Phil Regan and Nydia Westman); [0:55] Pretty Jenny Lee (sung by Barbershop Quartet); [1:08] Lonely Feet (sung and danced by Irene Dunne and Mixed Chorus - a beautiful production number); [1:14] We Were So Young (sung by Irene Dunne, Phil Regan and Chorus - another beautiful production number); [1:21] Sweet Adeline (Hugh Herbert and Donald Woods); [1:22] Down, Down, Down (?) (drinking song sung by Dorotyh Dare and beer garden patrons); [1:25] Don't Ever Leave Me (sung by Irene Dunne); [1:27] Don't Ever Leave Me (short reprisal sung by Irene Dunne)



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