College Swing

COLLEGE SWING (Paramount, 1938), directed by Raoul Walsh, the last of the studio's oddball "College" musicals of the 1930s, follows the tradition of COLLEGE HUMOR (1933), COLLEGE RHYTHM (1934) and COLLEGE HOLIDAY (1936), minus a football game climax. With the exception of "Rhythm," they all featured the comedy team of Burns and Allen. In spite of their names leading the cast, they have little to do together, with Gracie actually going solo this time around. Supporting them are an impressive number of performers: Bob Hope and Martha Raye singing and clowning together: Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan (former top child star of the 1920s) whose appearances are so brief that it would have been better had they not been included at all; and John Payne and Florence George (her movie debut) as the subordinate romantic pair having a couple of duets together, and not much else that would gather much attention

The story, such as it is, begins with a ten minute prologue set in early America, 1738, as a group of choir boys singing, with one suddenly going into swing. The youngster identifies himself as Benny Goodman!!! After that, there's an introduction to the main characters: Hubert Dash (Edward Everett Horton), founder of the the school, handing out diplomas on graduation day to every student but Gracie Alden (Gracie Allen), having been there for nine years and not understanding the answers to the questions. Her grandfather, the squire (Tully Marshall), decides to leave his money as permanent property of the school until such time a future female Alden graduates, leaving 1938 as the deadline. Move forward two hundred years. The school still stands, with new surroundings and hip youngsters such as Betty and Jackie (Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan) gathered together with fellow co-eds at an eatery called The Hangout. Gracie, the decedent of that Alden girl from 1738, having attended college for nine years, must pass her examination in order to graduate and inherit the fortune as required. With the help of Bob Brady (Bob Hope), her private tutor, he writes the answers on a laundry ticket placed on the bench beside her, with Gracie answering all the questions correctly, much to the surprise of George Jonas (George Burns), one of the committee members. After graduating, Gracie inherits the college and becomes the dean of men. Later, Bob encounters Mabel (Martha Raye), disguised as the French woman, Professor "Theresa," The two immediately hit it off and become an item of oddities; while Martin Bates (John Payne) falls in love with Virginia "Ginna" Ashburn (Florence George), the president's daughter after serenading to her dressed up as Cupid (being part of the initiation); Martin's uncle, Hubert Dash (Horton), a decedent of the founder of Alden College, who has a phobia towards women, becomes interested in Gracie to a point of asking her to marry him. When the faculty suspects Gracie hasn't passed her examinations honestly, it's agreed that she must take them again publicly, leaving Bob to think up a new scheme to have Gracie pass the exams or else he'll be out of $25,000.

With songs by Frank Loesser, Burton Lane, Hoagy Carmichael and Manning Sherwin, the motion picture soundtrack includes: "Ding Dong," (sung by Boy Choir); "College Swing" (Betty Grable and Skinney Ennis); "What Did Romeo Say to Juliet?" (John Payne and Florence George); "I'm Tired" (comedy act performed by The Slate Brothers); "How 'Ja Like to Love Me?" (sung by Martha Raye and Bob Hope); "Please?" (Jerry Colonna); "I Fall in Love With You Every Day" (Florence George and John Payne); "You're a Natural" (sung by Gracie Allen); "Irish Jig" (danced by Gracie Allen); "What a Rumba to Romance" (sung by Martha Raye, with Ben Blue); and "College Swing" (finale/ cast). With Raye hogging most of the songs, Gracie comes off best with her pleasing vocalization, even in character, and dancing wonderfully for no apparent reason.

In between the flimsy storyline are song and dance numbers with an assortment of characters whose roles are not fully developed. There's doses of comedy acts including the Slate Brothers (a cross between the Three Stooges and the Ritz Brothers) as slapstick waiters. In the tradition of the Three Stooges, there's eye-poking involved by the Slates, Martha Raye giving one to Bob Hope and Ben Blue (the latter in his usual interpretation of a confused individual). Jerry Colonna, the one with the large mustache and big round eyes, does one of his scream song signatures impersonating Bing Crosby. Look fast for Robert Cummings in a bit as a radio announcer; band-leader Skinney Ennis singing and dancing with Betty Grable; and Cecil Cunningham as Dean Sleet.

Of the "College" Paramount musicals, only COLLEGE SWING made it to video cassette in 1993 and later DVD as part of the "Bob Hope Signature Collection," double featured with Hope's feature debut, THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1938. (COLLEGE SWING did have a Turner Classic Movies broadcast (TCM premiere: October 4, 2018)). Both musicals have one thing in common, each containing a plot without a plot, relying mostly on old-fashioned vaudeville routines inter-wined with songs passing as a story. While not the best of its kind, COLLEGE SWING is good enough entertainment to pass along the time of 87 minutes, redeemed by familiar faces and future stars in so-so material and fine songs. A pity Burns and Allen didn't get to interact more together with their familiar routines. "Good Night, Gracie." .(**1/2)

This is an oddball, star-studded Paramount musical, frivolously directed by Raoul Walsh, in one of handful of fluffy star vehicles he churned out in the period after his Fox tenure and before he settled at Warners. I saw it because of the music and director Walsh, and I was thoroughly pleased with it.

"College Swing" is one of numerous entertaining musicals set on campus that were popular in the 30s. Including this one, there were also "College Humor"(1933), "College Rhythm"(1934), "Old Man Rhythm" (1935),"College Holiday"(1936), and "Pigskin Parade"(1936) among others. These are feathery, inadvertently escapist froths that are generally characterized by zesty songs, funny one-liners, and implausible boy-meets-girl romance.

I tend to agree with the other users that plot of "College Swing" is inordinately silly and weak; however, that doesn't make it unwatchable. The songs and dance numbers have their own peculiar excitement. The number in the beginning featuring the young, up-and-coming Betty Grable and fellow students dancing at a pub is particularly delightful. I also liked the funny scenes between Bob Hope & Martha Raye. Florence George & John Payne make nice young romantic couple. Gracie Allen & George Burns continue their raucous shenanigans, though their comic acts tend to slow down the plot as much as enliven it.

Worth seeing if you like this sort of fluff.

This is a hodgepodge of various skits and songs haphazardly put together by a wisp of a plot of Gracie Allen inheriting a college by getting all her answers right after 200 years of her descendants doing the opposite. Ms. Allen does appear with husband and performing partner George Burns here but not all the way through as she also does scenes with Edward Everett Horton and Bob Hope, whose second feature this was for him. There's also Martha Raye and Ben Blue for additional comedy relief. Romantic leads are John Payne and Florence George though there's very little of that. Oh, and Betty Grable and then-husband Jackie Coogan also cut the rug quite nicely. In summary, this was quite entertaining and if you don't really care about the "plot", College Swing should go down real easy for you.

"College Swing" is one of the many comedy-musical films that Hollywood produced during the 1930s. Once sound was added to motion pictures, it seems as though the public couldn't get enough of the variety type of musicals. As with most others, the plot is very thin, and in this one, very goofy. But it's just there to string together a number of very good songs, dance numbers and comedy routines. And "College Swing" is loaded with these and a great cast to carry them out.

Many big names of entertainment and the silver screen are in this film, most credited but some not. Films like this let the public see and hear a variety of otherwise unknown talents and groups perform. The band at the heart of the review numbers in the film is Skinnay Ennis. He didn't achieve the big-time fame of the likes of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James, or some others. But his orchestras was a regular feature of Bob Hope's radio show, and later the Bud Abbott and Lou Costello radio show. His popularity from those led to solid bookings on the road circuit during summers.

Gracie Allen is the principal comedy character in "College Swing," followed by Martha Raye who also has some good musical numbers. Bob Hope's role was more as an emcee, although his character, Bud Brady, cooks up most of the shenanigans that provide some of the laughs. This film has a great supporting cast as well as some younger stars in small roles, such as Betty Grable and Jackie Coogan. This is a good film for those who enjoy swing music, especially as it was played and performed in its heyday.

I'm normally one who likes a decent plot in a film. But in the case of College Swing a plot would only have gotten in the way.

Headed in this case by Burns and Allen, the talent procured for this film is priceless. Director Raoul Walsh who normally does more serious action/adventure stuff got a whole group of people in a film barely over ninety minutes, to all get a significant turn at displaying their talents. John Payne and Florence George sing nicely even if with some unmemorable songs, then husband and wife Jackie Coogan and Betty Grable do a nice swing dance number, Edward Everett Horton is his usual puritanical fuss budget, and comedy stylists Bob Hope, Martha Raye, Ben Blue, and Jerry Colonna all have memorable bits. The cast even includes in bit roles Bob Cummings and Richard Denning. And of course one of the best swing bands around in Hal Kemp with Skinnay Ennis as vocalist.

Usually Burns and Allen were rarely asked to carry a film. The only time they ever did was in Here Comes Cookie. They are top billed here, but they sure have a lot of support as you can see.

I've said on previous reviews of other films of their's that the comedy of George Burns and Gracie Allen is almost Monty Pythonesque in its humor. In fact the plot such as it is is laid out in a prologue. 200 years earlier Gracie has failed for about the 10th time to graduate college in the Class of 1738. She's hopelessly dumb and her grandfather Tully Marshall makes a bet with the head of the school that if in 200 years no female member of his family ever graduates from college, this college will get the clear title of his fortune which they will hold in trust until then.

Wouldn't you know it, 200 years later a female descendant also Gracie Allen does graduate and she inherits the college. Like she did in Here Comes Cookie, Gracie makes some interesting changes in the faculty and curriculum of the school. Of course it's with a little chicanery she does graduate and that's a problem too.

College Swing is one of those madcap films typical of the Thirties that is the very definition of escapist entertainment. No themes, no messages, just a lot of good laughs.