William Haines was one of the most popular actors with MGM in the late 1920s and early 30s. When seen today, this is a bit difficult to believe since most of his films followed a very familiar formula: Haines nearly always played a braggart who was extremely talented, he screws up and in the end proves he's a decent guy who's learned his lesson and everyone loves him once again. Taken one or two at a time, they are most enjoyable...but if you sit down and watch several, you notice that they are essentially the same movie again and again. I cannot blame Haines...the formula worked and MGM didn't give him a lot of choice in the matter...but when I saw that "Are You Listening?" was NOT the least like this formula, I was excited!
Bill Grimes (Haines) works for a radio station where he produces radio plays. However successful he is on the job, domestically he's a mess...with a marriage on the rocks and a girlfriend on the side! And so, when the wife is found dead, the assumption is that Bill did it...which he did but only by accident. Can Bill possibly clear himself? And, what role will his old radio station have in all this?
When you watch this film, it's very obviously a Pre-Code picture. After all, Bill's adultery is shown as being justified because the wife is a sourpuss and Bill is happy with his mistress. In the Code era, clearly Bill would have been seen as a villain for living this lifestyle....and he would have more likely deliberately murdered the wife because he was a villain.
And, speaking of the Code, this new and enforced Production Code is why Haines soon left Hollywood...even though he'd been a huge star. He was an openly gay man and refused to live the typical life of a gay star of the day--with a sham marriage arranged by the studio. And, interestingly, Haines lived a long and happy life with his life partner and was quite successful as an interior decorator to the stars.
So is this change of pace for Haines worth seeing? Yes and no. At least it's not the usual formula...but in some ways this bizarre story (with its even more bizarre ending) isn't 100% satisfying either. Worth seeing, naturally, but not a great film either.
