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In 1933, RKO Pictures had the bright idea of pairing Dolores Del Rio and Gene Raymond for their new musical blockbuster, Flying Down to Rio. The film was a smash, but not for the reasons anyone expected. The fourth- and fifth-billed stars were an RKO bit player and a Broadway man breaking into Hollywood. Their names were Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, and their pairing in this and eight subsequent RKO films would rewrite cinematic history. Most of Rio's screen time is spent on a humdrum romantic triangle involving Del Rio, Raymond, and Raul Roulien, but Fred (as Fred Ayres) and Ginger (as Honey Hayes) are still able to establish many of the trademarks of their later films. Ginger fronts the band (with Fred on accordian!) in the saucy "Music Makes Me," and Fred does some solo tap, then sings and leads the band for the spectacular airborne finale featuring chorus girls perched on the wings of biplanes. The heart of the film is "The Carioca," a company dance extravaganza that would be imitated by "The Continental" and "The Piccolino" in later films. Here Fred and Ginger take the floor together for the first time; their eyes meet and their foreheads touch. Their dance lasts only a few minutes, but it was the highlight of the film and audiences wanted more. The most prophetic moment occurs toward the beginning of the dance, when, after watching for a while, Fred grabs Ginger and tells her, "I want to try this. Come on, Honey." She declares, "We'll show 'em a thing or three." They did indeed. It was magic, and it was only the beginning.--David Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Astaire and Rogers shine in their first film together
I am a huge Astaire& Rogers fan and though that this movie was swell. Though the stars of the film were supposed to be Gene Raymond and Dolores del Rio, Fred and Ginger stole the show- as usual-! Ginger's solo, 'Music Makes Me' is very well done, the 'Carioca', which makes you want to hop on screen and dance, is superb, and the bevy of girls dancing on the wings of a plane for the finale is true cinematic gold!

THE CARIOCA
A rather dated and corny but undeniably fun confection with a really redeeming quality: the introduction of Astaire and Rogers. Orchestra leader-aviator Roger Bond (Gene Raymond) and his performers, including the dance team of Honey Hale and Fred Ayres (Guess Who?) earn a big break by being hired to perform at a posh resort hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The dramatic ORCHIDS IN THE MOONLIGHT is heard along with the title tune and the incredibly bouncy, fresh and fun 22 year-old Rogers sings a campy jump tune entitled MUSIC MAKES ME. The exquisite Mexican actress Dolores Del Rio was unfortunately hampered by her rather limited acting ability and a heavy accent but her luminous beauty is showcased here. Rather accidentally, the film established several ingredients that would become standard fare in future Astaire-Rogers outings: glorious art-deco sets by Van Nest Polglase and choreography by the great Hermes Pan. The infectious CARIOCA number (the title refers to a native of Rio) is presented at the Carioca Casino. Ginger and Fred are fascinated by this avante garde (a variation of the samba) which demands partners dance with foreheads touching. They try out the intricate steps and soon have the dance floor to themselves...........And the rest is HISTORY!! THE CARIOCA is also vocalised by the great black songstress, Etta Moten. A glorious Hollywood holiday - 1933 style - which paved the way for the teams succession of RKO films from 1934 (THE GAY DIVORCEE) to 1949 (THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY).

The First Pairing.
"Flying Down to Rio" is a memorable movie because it was the first screen pairing of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, who would make 10 movies in all together. This is my least favourite of all of their 10 screen pairings. That is not to say it is not good. I think all 10 of their movies are brilliant.

The problem I have with this movie is that Fred and Ginger are not the main stars. That part goes to Dolores Del Rio and Gene Raymond. Usually I wolud not have a problem with those two stars, but in this case, I do. I really just wanted to see Fred and Ginger together for the whole movie. But it is interrupted by a love story going on between Dolores Del Rio and Gene Raymond.

The plot has it that Del Rio's uncle has been prohibited from having a floor show at his lavish hotel because of a Rio city ordinance. Fred Astaire and Gene Raymond save everything by staging the "Flying Down to Rio" number thousands of feet in the air, with hundreds of chorus girls doing different kinds of things while strapped to the wings of a fleet of airplanes. Its an amazing musical number, and a great way to finish a movie.

The highlight for a lot of people in this movie is the "Carioca" scene. I personally think it goes on just a little too long, and its not the kind of thing I am used to. I like the "Flying Down to Rio" part at the end of the movie, with the girls on the planes in the sky, and also, it is only a short part of the movie, but I like Ginger singing "Music Makes Me" (which was amazingly not a track on the Rhino/Turner 2-Disc CD release "Fred and Ginger at RKO"). So overall, for any Fred and Ginger fan, you have to see it. Even if you may get slightly bored during the non Fred and Ginger scenes.

early success
I love this movie for 2 reasons.
1: The friend relationship that Fred and Ginger have. They get along so well and that helped to heighten the chemistry.
2:Ginger's wisecracks. SHe still has that wisecracking-second-lead-chorine type attitude that she would lose in coming pictures. she sings "music makes me" with an adorable smile and swiveling hips.
the best scene is in the cafe, where ginger can't take her mind off food.
"OOH, cookies"
"I'd rather split a banana split 3-way"

"Wanna cookie? Take your choice!"
This is just an early sampling of the greatest dance teams magic.

orchids in the moonlight.
Hi, yes I do agree that Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers are great together,but in my opinion in this film I just loved the dancing and the music by the dance troupe especially when they danced the tango to the tune orchids in the moonlight.WoW! what a tune so romantic.Delores Del Rio & Gene Raymond to me also made the film for me a hit. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Astaire and Rogers shine in their first film together
I am a huge Astaire& Rogers fan and though that this movie was swell. Though the stars of the film were supposed to be Gene Raymond and Dolores del Rio, Fred and Ginger stole the show- as usual-! Ginger's solo, 'Music Makes Me' is very well done, the 'Carioca', which makes you want to hop on screen and dance, is superb, and the bevy of girls dancing on the wings of a plane for the finale is true cinematic gold!

THE CARIOCA
A rather dated and corny but undeniably fun confection with a really redeeming quality: the introduction of Astaire and Rogers. Orchestra leader-aviator Roger Bond (Gene Raymond) and his performers, including the dance team of Honey Hale and Fred Ayres (Guess Who?) earn a big break by being hired to perform at a posh resort hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The dramatic ORCHIDS IN THE MOONLIGHT is heard along with the title tune and the incredibly bouncy, fresh and fun 22 year-old Rogers sings a campy jump tune entitled MUSIC MAKES ME. The exquisite Mexican actress Dolores Del Rio was unfortunately hampered by her rather limited acting ability and a heavy accent but her luminous beauty is showcased here. Rather accidentally, the film established several ingredients that would become standard fare in future Astaire-Rogers outings: glorious art-deco sets by Van Nest Polglase and choreography by the great Hermes Pan. The infectious CARIOCA number (the title refers to a native of Rio) is presented at the Carioca Casino. Ginger and Fred are fascinated by this avante garde (a variation of the samba) which demands partners dance with foreheads touching. They try out the intricate steps and soon have the dance floor to themselves...........And the rest is HISTORY!! THE CARIOCA is also vocalised by the great black songstress, Etta Moten. A glorious Hollywood holiday - 1933 style - which paved the way for the teams succession of RKO films from 1934 (THE GAY DIVORCEE) to 1949 (THE BARKLEYS OF BROADWAY).

The First Pairing.
"Flying Down to Rio" is a memorable movie because it was the first screen pairing of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire, who would make 10 movies in all together. This is my least favourite of all of their 10 screen pairings. That is not to say it is not good. I think all 10 of their movies are brilliant.

The problem I have with this movie is that Fred and Ginger are not the main stars. That part goes to Dolores Del Rio and Gene Raymond. Usually I wolud not have a problem with those two stars, but in this case, I do. I really just wanted to see Fred and Ginger together for the whole movie. But it is interrupted by a love story going on between Dolores Del Rio and Gene Raymond.

The plot has it that Del Rio's uncle has been prohibited from having a floor show at his lavish hotel because of a Rio city ordinance. Fred Astaire and Gene Raymond save everything by staging the "Flying Down to Rio" number thousands of feet in the air, with hundreds of chorus girls doing different kinds of things while strapped to the wings of a fleet of airplanes. Its an amazing musical number, and a great way to finish a movie.

The highlight for a lot of people in this movie is the "Carioca" scene. I personally think it goes on just a little too long, and its not the kind of thing I am used to. I like the "Flying Down to Rio" part at the end of the movie, with the girls on the planes in the sky, and also, it is only a short part of the movie, but I like Ginger singing "Music Makes Me" (which was amazingly not a track on the Rhino/Turner 2-Disc CD release "Fred and Ginger at RKO"). So overall, for any Fred and Ginger fan, you have to see it. Even if you may get slightly bored during the non Fred and Ginger scenes.

early success
I love this movie for 2 reasons.
1: The friend relationship that Fred and Ginger have. They get along so well and that helped to heighten the chemistry.
2:Ginger's wisecracks. SHe still has that wisecracking-second-lead-chorine type attitude that she would lose in coming pictures. she sings "music makes me" with an adorable smile and swiveling hips.
the best scene is in the cafe, where ginger can't take her mind off food.
"OOH, cookies"
"I'd rather split a banana split 3-way"

"Wanna cookie? Take your choice!"
This is just an early sampling of the greatest dance teams magic.

orchids in the moonlight.
Hi, yes I do agree that Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers are great together,but in my opinion in this film I just loved the dancing and the music by the dance troupe especially when they danced the tango to the tune orchids in the moonlight.WoW! what a tune so romantic.Delores Del Rio & Gene Raymond to me also made the film for me a hit. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

CANTOR'S 193O TECHNICOLOR MUSICAL HIT.
Cantor is a state-of-the-art hypochondriac whose imagined poor health causes him to bring many hilarious situations into view. The character he portrays - Henry Williams - is something of a busybody who moves to Arizona for his health's sake and gets himself involved in the affairs of Sally Morgan...The art direction and musical numbers are still fascinating to observe and Cantor is hilarious when he explains blithely that he could die from any one of his several diseases right on the spot. This film - which was co-produced by Florenz Ziegfeld and Samuel Goldwyn - made Eddie Cantor a film star of the early talkies. Based upon THE NERVOUS WRECK by Owen Davis, this primitive Technicolor musical still has the ability to entertain - especially if you are partial to Eddie Cantor's brand of comedy. Look for a 14 (!) year-old Betty Grable as one of the Goldwyn Girls in this opus which was remade in 1944 as the Danny Kaye star-making vehicle UP IN ARMS. As a footnote, Goldwyn opened his filmed musical extravaganza in the nadir of Great Depression and tickets sold for an astonishing $5 apiece: the equivalent of a day's wages back then!

Is It Really The Season For Makin' Whoopee?
In 1930 Eddie Cantor was at the height of his career when "Whoopee" was made into a motion picture, taken from the 1929 play of the same title produced by "The Great Ziegfeld".
"Whoopee" is the story of two childhood friends who grew up together only to fall in love. One was a "white girl" the other "an Indian". Sally Morgan (Eleanor Hunt) is the girl and Wanenis (Paul Gregory) is the Indian. As time goes by Sally's father forbids the two from ever getting married. This lead Wanenis to leave the small town only to return as fate would have it, on the wedding day of Sheriff Bob Wells (Jack Rutherford) and Sally! Soon Sally has doubts about getting married to Bob when she sees Wenenis again. Now, perhaps your asking yourself, what has any of this got to do with Eddie Cantor? Absolutely nothing. Cantor plays Henry Williams. A neurotic who shys away from the advances made by his nurse, Mary Custer (Ethel Shutta) and perfers the company of a calf. He consistanly checks his temperature, and takes pills on every hour. And somehow finds himself helping Sally get away from Bob thus causing everyone trying to hunt him down, including his nurse who thinks Henry loves Sally instead of her.
"Whoopee" is actually quite funny. It's all Cantor's show from beginning to end. It's his energy that carries the whole film. Much of the films appeal will have to do with two things. Number one how much you like Cantor and two how much you like these old-fashion comedies. "Whoopee" though I must admit, is very very very suggestive. People tend to forget that while, yes, these types of movies have been reduced to "family entertainment" they were at one time meant strickly as "adult" entertainment.
"Whoopee" still makes me laugh after all these years from when I first saw it. One of my favorite momemts as to do with Henry and his Nurse;
Nurse: Do you know why I studied nursing?
Henry: No why?
Nurse: Because I'm romantic. Most girls like big strong healty men.
Henry: Husky!
Nurse: Not me, I like weak men. I have a positive passion for a weak man.
Henry: I suppose if I was paralyze you'd be absolutly cuckoo over me!
"Whoopee" also has good songs, and is probably best known for Cantor singing "Makin' Whoopee". He also sings "My Baby Just Cares For Me" & "A Girl Friend Of A Boy Friend Of Mine". There are some good dances. I assume very original for it's time. And there's even room for Cantor to go into his famous "black face". "Whoopee" was nominated for 1 Oscar "Best Art Direction". Also spot in the first scene a young Betty Grable. And look out for a young Virgina Bruce.
Bottom-line:Though perhaps thought of as a "dated" comedy Cantor's engery and some of the wise-cracks make the film enjoyable. Worth a look.

Another bride, another groom........YUMMY
This picture is a scream! A big one!

Eddie Cantor acts more like Woody Allen in this movie as a person whos affected by and is allergic to everything! And he loves his cow more than his flerting nurse!
And he expects to die soon so he go's to the pcturesque south/west for the scenery. (setting for the funeral-with fruit!)

But....trouble starts when he findes out that he helped a girl escape from an unwanted marrage. She really loves indian boy from a tribe up in the mountians. Of corse (1930s view) this cannot be done.

I wont say much but the movie is a spinning technicolor/comedy mess of fun and frolic. (and Busby B. too!)

early color/good music/good dancing
its a good try for 1930//primitive color helps//the music is memorable//the dance sequences are interesting..eddie cantor is in good form///too bad the supporting cast is weak///a young betty grable is fun to see in the early musical number at the beginning of the film..even the mistake at the top where the opening fades in prematurly is forgiven

The static camera rules!
This is certainly an oddity, from the hues of two-strip Technicolor to the scenes of Cantor emerging from his hiding place of an oven (in itself unsettling, given the added hindsight of WWII and Hitler's Ultimate Solution) in blackface. The songs, however, are superb, and "George Olsen's Music" in the background gives this underrated bandleader some nice exposure. Technically "Whoopee" fares better than the Marx Brother's "Animal Crackers" of the same year--they even manage to sneak in a couple of exterior shots! ... Read more

Description

(1947-England). With CARROLL LEVIS, CAROLE LANDIS, HERBERT LOM, ERNEST THESIGER, TERRY-THOMAS. Popular 1940s radio personality Carroll Levis (who was known as "Britains favorite Canadian") stars as himself in this intriguing whodunit. He inadvertently becomes embroiled in a caper involving the smuggling of a priceless brass monkey into England. The potential buyer is Mr. Ryder-Harris (played with finesse by veteran character actor Ernest Thesiger). This eccentric gentleman claims the ancient artifact is "beyond human value to any follower of Buddhism." Levis has been given the monkey by his friend Kay Sheldon, who is a former talent discovery. She obtained the relic from her fiancŽ, who happens to be one of Londons most disreputable fences of stolen goods. The monkey lands in the clutter of Levis office and is promptly mislaid. Then, chaos follows as several unscrupulous parties try to steal the monkey, resulting in murder and mayhem. Amid all of this "monkey business," an array of musical and comedy performers audition for and appear on "The Levis Hour," our heros weekly radio program. Outstanding among the entertainers is gap-toothed farceur Terry-Thomas in a very comical early film appearance. 81 minutes. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

MEDIOCRE PRE-CODER WITH A YOUNG LORETTA.
A Kansas girl joins a New York chorus and needs to be rescued from a villanious producer: Travelling salesman Jimmy Decker (David Manners, God help us all) falls in love with a young Kansas beauty Marion Cullen (Loretta, natch - at 19) even though he's engaged to Enid Hollister, his bosses daughter. Marion is a talented composer, and when her foster parents reveal that she's really the illegitimate daughter of a showgirl, she leaves for NYC. Once there, she discovers Jimmy's engagement, and realising that he cannot do anything for her, she and dancer Dixie Dare (the cute, 29 year-old Una Merkel) interview with the notorious theatrical agent Ford Humphries (Louis Calhern - who was once married to Natalie Schafer in real life). Humphries is impressed by Marion's talent and beauty and and he offers her the use of his apartment. Marion gently turns down his "kindly" offer - but they keep seeing each other somehow...A fairly interesting flick for Pre-Code fans. Look for 57 year-old Elizabeth Patterson - aka Mrs. Trumbull - as Mrs. Cullen.

Teenage Loretta Young fight off wolves in the big bad city
Marion Cullen (Loretta Young) is a young Kansas farm girl and church organist who follows sweet-talking salesman Jimmy Decker (David Manners) to New York. Of course, she does not know he is engaged to his boss's daughter (Helen Vinson) and is now all alone in the big bad city. Marion has looks and talent but you know what things are like on Broadway. Producer Ford Humphries (Louis Calhern) wants Marion for more than her songwriting skills and the now-married Jimmy is still very much interested in her. But so is his best friend, Dr. Tony Travers (George Brent). Consequently, Marion has to choose not only which man, but which type of life she wants to live. Fortunately, Marion has also become friends with chorus girl Dixie Dare (Una Merkel), who pretty much steals every scene with her down to earth appraisals of all these shenanigans. This 1932 film is a pre-Production code effort, so things are a bit more adult than you normally find in films from this era. Director Thorton Freeland tries out a few cinematic techniques involving camera angles in telling the story, which is pretty much pure melodrama. Most viewers will be surprised because this is still a teenage Loretta Young, who had already appeared in over three dozen films (including as an Arab child in the classic silent film "The Sheik"). This might not have been her first starring role, but it is the earliest one of her movies that you can still pick up on tape and watch. For her fans, this will be a treat, even if the frankness of the film comes as a surprise.

Pre-code drama has some high points
Although this is a typical pre-code melodrama, slow andpredictable, the stars are great to watch. The beautiful LorettaYoung appears as the heroine, a small town 'good' girl, who falls for the guy from the big city. After finding out that the guy is engaged, Loretta sets her sights on Broadway. She meets Una Merkel while waiting for a show job interview. Una is probably the best 'pal' supporting actress of her day. She brings wit and charm to an otherwise slow production. (also a revealing lingerie scene!). This film is recommended for fans of Loretta or Una Merkel or for fans of pre-code dramas. I liked the movie and I really liked Loretta Young. She was one of the most talented actresses to come out of Hollywood in the 30's. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

CANTOR'S 193O TECHNICOLOR MUSICAL HIT.
Cantor is a state-of-the-art hypochondriac whose imagined poor health causes him to bring many hilarious situations into view. The character he portrays - Henry Williams - is something of a busybody who moves to Arizona for his health's sake and gets himself involved in the affairs of Sally Morgan...The art direction and musical numbers are still fascinating to observe and Cantor is hilarious when he explains blithely that he could die from any one of his several diseases right on the spot. This film - which was co-produced by Florenz Ziegfeld and Samuel Goldwyn - made Eddie Cantor a film star of the early talkies. Based upon THE NERVOUS WRECK by Owen Davis, this primitive Technicolor musical still has the ability to entertain - especially if you are partial to Eddie Cantor's brand of comedy. Look for a 14 (!) year-old Betty Grable as one of the Goldwyn Girls in this opus which was remade in 1944 as the Danny Kaye star-making vehicle UP IN ARMS. As a footnote, Goldwyn opened his filmed musical extravaganza in the nadir of Great Depression and tickets sold for an astonishing $5 apiece: the equivalent of a day's wages back then!

Is It Really The Season For Makin' Whoopee?
In 1930 Eddie Cantor was at the height of his career when "Whoopee" was made into a motion picture, taken from the 1929 play of the same title produced by "The Great Ziegfeld".
"Whoopee" is the story of two childhood friends who grew up together only to fall in love. One was a "white girl" the other "an Indian". Sally Morgan (Eleanor Hunt) is the girl and Wanenis (Paul Gregory) is the Indian. As time goes by Sally's father forbids the two from ever getting married. This lead Wanenis to leave the small town only to return as fate would have it, on the wedding day of Sheriff Bob Wells (Jack Rutherford) and Sally! Soon Sally has doubts about getting married to Bob when she sees Wenenis again. Now, perhaps your asking yourself, what has any of this got to do with Eddie Cantor? Absolutely nothing. Cantor plays Henry Williams. A neurotic who shys away from the advances made by his nurse, Mary Custer (Ethel Shutta) and perfers the company of a calf. He consistanly checks his temperature, and takes pills on every hour. And somehow finds himself helping Sally get away from Bob thus causing everyone trying to hunt him down, including his nurse who thinks Henry loves Sally instead of her.
"Whoopee" is actually quite funny. It's all Cantor's show from beginning to end. It's his energy that carries the whole film. Much of the films appeal will have to do with two things. Number one how much you like Cantor and two how much you like these old-fashion comedies. "Whoopee" though I must admit, is very very very suggestive. People tend to forget that while, yes, these types of movies have been reduced to "family entertainment" they were at one time meant strickly as "adult" entertainment.
"Whoopee" still makes me laugh after all these years from when I first saw it. One of my favorite momemts as to do with Henry and his Nurse;
Nurse: Do you know why I studied nursing?
Henry: No why?
Nurse: Because I'm romantic. Most girls like big strong healty men.
Henry: Husky!
Nurse: Not me, I like weak men. I have a positive passion for a weak man.
Henry: I suppose if I was paralyze you'd be absolutly cuckoo over me!
"Whoopee" also has good songs, and is probably best known for Cantor singing "Makin' Whoopee". He also sings "My Baby Just Cares For Me" & "A Girl Friend Of A Boy Friend Of Mine". There are some good dances. I assume very original for it's time. And there's even room for Cantor to go into his famous "black face". "Whoopee" was nominated for 1 Oscar "Best Art Direction". Also spot in the first scene a young Betty Grable. And look out for a young Virgina Bruce.
Bottom-line:Though perhaps thought of as a "dated" comedy Cantor's engery and some of the wise-cracks make the film enjoyable. Worth a look.

Another bride, another groom........YUMMY
This picture is a scream! A big one!

Eddie Cantor acts more like Woody Allen in this movie as a person whos affected by and is allergic to everything! And he loves his cow more than his flerting nurse!
And he expects to die soon so he go's to the pcturesque south/west for the scenery. (setting for the funeral-with fruit!)

But....trouble starts when he findes out that he helped a girl escape from an unwanted marrage. She really loves indian boy from a tribe up in the mountians. Of corse (1930s view) this cannot be done.

I wont say much but the movie is a spinning technicolor/comedy mess of fun and frolic. (and Busby B. too!)

early color/good music/good dancing
its a good try for 1930//primitive color helps//the music is memorable//the dance sequences are interesting..eddie cantor is in good form///too bad the supporting cast is weak///a young betty grable is fun to see in the early musical number at the beginning of the film..even the mistake at the top where the opening fades in prematurly is forgiven

The static camera rules!
This is certainly an oddity, from the hues of two-strip Technicolor to the scenes of Cantor emerging from his hiding place of an oven (in itself unsettling, given the added hindsight of WWII and Hitler's Ultimate Solution) in blackface. The songs, however, are superb, and "George Olsen's Music" in the background gives this underrated bandleader some nice exposure. Technically "Whoopee" fares better than the Marx Brother's "Animal Crackers" of the same year--they even manage to sneak in a couple of exterior shots! ... Read more