That's Right - You're Wrong

"Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge" was an extremely popular weekly radio broadcast when RKO signed Kyser and his band to this, their first film. The studio's faith in the bespectacled band-leader paid off handsomely at the box office, this initial effort grossing more than a million dollars in domestic admissions alone. All told, the studio netted around $520,000 in U.S./Canadian rentals after paying all print, advertising and distribution expenses. On a negative cost of $300,000 this returned a tidy profit which was split three ways: RKO, Butler and Kyser himself.

As to whether the film is still entertaining today, that depends on whether you're a Kay Kyser fan and/or a Ginny Simms admirer. I put myself strictly in the latter class, though I must admit Kyser is quite tolerable here — and even mildly diverting, aside from the climactically generous (but specially staged for the movie) excerpt from his weekly radio program which wears my patience a little thin. Fortunately, Miss Simms does receive a large amount of the camera's attention (beautifully costumed and photographed she is too) and sings most of the songs as well. On the other hand, I'm happy to report that my pet hate, Merwyn Bogue (Ish Kabibble to you) receives comparatively little footage. Adolphe Menjou, typecast once again as a harassed film producer, gives a somewhat mechanical performance, but does contribute some amusing moments, as do Horton and Cavanaugh as a couple of egotistical scriptwriters.

I'm always a pushover for movies with a Hollywood background. The satire here is rather mild, but still reasonably entertaining. Especially the gondola screen test in which Lucy Ball (who has otherwise very little to do in this picture) finally gets some comic moments.

Yes, I know Lucille Ball is in this movie, but if you blink, you'll miss her. She's in one mildly funny scene.

Otherwise, this movie revolves around band leader Kay Kyser. He's an engaging guy, so he more or less carries the picture.

What he doesn't carry is the musical numbers, which are all forgettable and can be skipped. Given that there are a fair number of them, that's unfortunate.

This is Kyser's first film and it sparkles with bounce and personality. Credit director Butler for keeping things moving, and band members for showing that making music is not their only talent. Kyser himself is a delight with real comedic skill. I like the way he allows his plain looks to blend into the story-line; at the same time, it's rather refreshing to see a less-than-handsome face in the starring role. And, of course, there's the lovely and toothsome Ginny Simms, singing her way into my heart, at least. I gather Kyser's band were not concert performers like Goodman's, Dorsey's or Miller's, but were more for fun and sheer entertainment. They certainly succeed here.

The story itself amounts to a clever spoof on movie-making, with Menjou as the studio schemer, and includes assorted real-life gossipers of the day like Hedda Hopper. And, oh yes, mustn't forget the hilarious screen test, where Lucille Ball matches Kyser pratfall for pratfall. Knowing how her career will eventually turn out, this is a tasty glimpse of things to come. Then there's the old gal who plays Grandma (May Robson) who is a real hoot with genuine sass and sparkle. We also get about 20 minutes of the Kyser radio show Kollege of Musical Knowledge. It's enlightening for those of us not old enough to remember; however, I think 10 minutes would have been enough. Nonetheless, the movie never drags, and is really a lot more fun than many other musicals featuring bigger name bands and celebrities. All in all, "That's Right..." amounts to an unexpected movie delight.

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU'RE WRONG is the first Kyser feature (there were 7) and I think his best. The plot is rather formulaic, but with a couple of cute twists. I recently purchased director David Butler's script (I'm a Kyser 'kollector') and followed along as i watched the film. There was a song cut, and dialogue as well. Turns out Louella Parsons and then columnist Ed Sullivan were to be in the film alongside Hedda Hopper, Jimmy Fidler et al. Songs are great, band great, Lucille Ball great. Could be this is a bit corny by today's standards, but who cares? It's a fun, innocent flick that presented all the (then) on-air radio characters of the extremely popular Kyser band- Ish Kabibble, Harry Babbitt, Ginny Simms, and Sully Mason, as well as Kyser, visually for the first time.

THAT'S RIGHT, YOU'RE WRONG is the first Kyser feature (there were 7) and I think his best. The plot is rather formulaic, but with a couple of cute twists. I recently purchased director David Butler's script (I'm a Kyser 'kollector') and followed along as i watched the film. There was a song cut, and dialogue as well. Turns out Louella Parsons and then columnist Ed Sullivan were to be in the film alongside Hedda Hopper, Jimmy Fidler et al. Songs are great, band great, Lucille Ball great. Could be this is a bit corny by today's standards, but who cares? It's a fun, innocent flick that presented all the (then) on-air radio characters of the extremely popular Kyser band- Ish Kabibble, Harry Babbitt, Ginny Simms, and Sully Mason, as well as Kyser, visually for the first time.