The Cuckoos

After their success in supporting comic roles in RIO RITA, Wheeler and Woolsey were given the leads in this stage musical, which comes to the screen pretty much as if it were a filmed stage show (most of these early adaptations look like this - witness RIO RITA, WHOOPEE! etc.).

Not much plot and what there is follows the musical comedy formula. The romantic leads are dull, but we're not watching this for them. W & W are as usual marvelous together, with one gag word play after another. It's a most enjoyable 97 minutes.

One smash hit song from the Bolton/Kalmar/Ruby score (which by the way is universally tuneful and quality)is I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Ten songs were retained from the stage show for the film.

There are three two-strip Technicolor inserts (reds, greens, browns) : a. the first act finale to the song GOODBYE, occurring from the 53 minute mark to 57:30 (4:30 minutes); b. the second act DANCE THE DEVIL AWAY number, occurring from 1 hour 21 minutes, 20 seconds to 1 hour, 23, minutes, 40 seconds (2:20 minutes); c. the Finale, occurring from 1 hour 34 minutes, 20 seconds to 1 hour, 36 minutes, 55 seconds (2:35).

Technicolor totals: 9:25 minutes.