Varsity Show 1937

Varsity Show


Warner Bros., 1937, B/W, 80 minutes

Released September, 1937



Nearly five decades before "Footloose," this charming musical, with choreography by Busby Berkeley, told the story of college students hoping to put on a swing dance show despite the ban put in place by a persnickety professor. The kids get help from Broadway producer Dick Powell - because the show must go on! Johnnie Davis, Rosemary Lane, Ted Healy co-star. Songs include "I'm Dependable," "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile," and more.


Produced by: Jack L. Warner

Directed by: William Keighley

Finale Directed by: Busby Berkeley

Screen Play by: Jerry Wald and Richard Macaulay, Sid Herzig and Warren Duff

Music: M. K. Jerome

Musical Director: Fred Waring

Orchestral Arrangements: Virgil Davis, Steve Mougin

Vocal Arrangements: Frank Perkins, Roy Ringwald

Art Direction: Carl Jules Weyl

Gowns: Howard Shoup

Sound: Charles D. Forrest, Oliver Garretson

Director of Photography: Sol Polito

Finale Photography: George Barnes

Film Editing: George Amy



Cast: Dick Powell [Chuck Daly], Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians [Themselves], Ted Healy [Willy Williams], Rosemary Lane [Babs Steward], Priscilla Lane [Betty Bradley], Walter Catlett [Prof. Sylvester Biddle], Johnny Davis [Buzz Bolton], Buck and Bubbles [Themselves], Sterling Holloway [Trout], Mabel Todd [Cuddles], Scotty Bates [Scotty], George MacFarland [Hap], Poley McClintock [Poley], Lee Dixon [Johnny "Rubberlegs" Stevens], Halliwell Hobbes [Dean J. M. Meredith], Roy Atwell [Professor Washburn], Ed Brophy [Curly Barclay], Ben Welden [Hammer], Emma Dunn [Ma Smith], Carole Landis [Dancer in Finale]



Musical Program: "Old King Cole" (played by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, vocal by Johnny Davis; reprised by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians and danced by Priscilla Lane and Lee Dixon; reprised again in finale); "We're Working Our Way Through College" (sung by Dick Powell, Ted Healy and Chorus); "I'm Dependable" (played by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, vocal by Fred Waring and Priscilla Lane); "On With the Dance" (played by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, vocal by Rosemary Lane; reprised by Ford Washington Lee, sung and danced by Chorus; reprised again in finale); "You've Got Something There" (sung by Dick Powell and Rosemary Lane; later played by Ford Washington Lee on piano and danced by Bubbles; reprised again in finale); "Have You Got Any Castles, Baby?" (sung by Priscilla Lane and Chorus); "Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile!" (played by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians); "Love Is On The Air Tonight" (sung by The Company in the finale); "Boola Boola" / "On, Wisconsin!" / "Fight On" / "The Notre Dame Victory March" / "The Maine Stein Song" / "Come Join the Band" / "On, Brave Old Army Team" / "Navy Marching Song (Anchors Aweigh)" (college fight song medley played and sung by Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians in finale)