Music Is Magic: When the spotlight shifts

Is it worth your time?

If you like old-school Hollywood backlot dramas that don't take themselves too seriously, you’ll probably find something to enjoy here. People who get bored by simple, predictable rags-to-riches tropes might want to skip it, though. It’s light, it’s breezy, and it’s very much a product of its own time.

Honestly, watching Bebe Daniels grapple with being pushed aside by Alice Faye felt more real than most of the script's actual dialogue. There’s a specific kind of exhaustion in her eyes during those rehearsal scenes. You can almost see her realizing the game is rigged.

The pacing is a bit of a rollercoaster. One minute we are in a high-stakes meeting, and the next we are watching some filler musical number that goes on about forty seconds too long. It feels like the director just needed to fill space between the actual story beats.

The way Hattie McDaniel shows up in the background is always a treat, even if she isn't given much to do. She brings this gravity to the room that makes the other actors look like they are playing at being professionals. It’s funny how a small role can make the leads look suddenly flimsy.

I couldn't help but think about Music in the Air while watching this. Both films have that weird, manic energy where everyone is constantly singing or talking about show business. It’s like they were terrified the audience would forget they were watching a movie about making movies.

A few random observations:

• There is a scene in a hallway that is lit so brightly you’ll need to squint.
• The chorus girls are all acting like they’re in a different movie entirely.
• I’m still not sure why that one guy is wearing a hat inside for the whole duration of the second act.
• The ending feels like it was stapled on at the last minute just to get the actors home for dinner.

It’s not a masterpiece, and I doubt anyone would claim it is. But there’s a charm to its imperfections. It’s not trying to change your life; it’s just trying to fill an hour and a half with some tunes and a little bit of backstage drama. Sometimes, that is exactly what I need on a Tuesday night. 🎶