Two trumpeters (Fred Astaire, Burgess Meredith) in a college band are competing with each other over a girl (Paulette Goddard) and a job with Artie Shaw’s orchestra. Not one of Astaire’s favorite films and it certainly doesn’t have much to offer; he and Meredith are fun as the rivals, but it’s a ludicrous story. What works better is the music, even if there isn’t enough of it. There’s a few appealing dance numbers (choreographed by Astaire and Hermes Pan) and an engaging performance near the end by Shaw (who plays himself) and his band.
1940-U.S. 84 min. B/W. Directed by H.C. Potter. Music: Artie Shaw. Song: ”Love of My Life” (Artie Shaw, Johnny Mercer). Cast: Fred Astaire (Danny O’Neill), Paulette Goddard (Ellen Miller), Burgess Meredith (Hank Taylor), Artie Shaw, Charles Butterworth.
