Burlesque queen Grace Hayes is one piece of work. She's a tough cookie with a bit of Sophie Tucker, Fanny Brice and Gracie Fields all tossed into one. Not afraid of speaking her mind, she shows up at the college of the son she gave up to his father to raise. Disgusted at the irresponsibility she sees in him (her real-life son Peter Lind Hayes), she plots to take on the unpaid role of mentor at the college, using her money to gain a job as a waitress at the college café and getting all of these irresponsible kids together to learn something about life and responsibility by putting on the college show. He falls in love with her assistant (Mary Healy, Peter's real-life wife!) and the show they put together turns out to be a huge success.
Benny Rubin steals the film when Ms. Hayes is off screen as the prankster waiter who gives Peter Lind Hayes a hard time when he orders an unflavored water by asking "what flavor do you not want it flavored with?". The banter between Rubin and Ms. Hayes over a Mother Gin Sling is truly funny. Hayes visits with her old paramour, tells him off for raising their son without discipline, and bids him goodbye with affection and regret. A bulk of the second half of the film is devoted to the college show, and one song ("Put Your Trust in the Moon") stands out as worthy of re-discovery. This is a better than normal programmer that has many witty moments, some above average musical moments and performances that are quite wonderful.
Benny Rubin steals the film when Ms. Hayes is off screen as the prankster waiter who gives Peter Lind Hayes a hard time when he orders an unflavored water by asking "what flavor do you not want it flavored with?". The banter between Rubin and Ms. Hayes over a Mother Gin Sling is truly funny. Hayes visits with her old paramour, tells him off for raising their son without discipline, and bids him goodbye with affection and regret. A bulk of the second half of the film is devoted to the college show, and one song ("Put Your Trust in the Moon") stands out as worthy of re-discovery. This is a better than normal programmer that has many witty moments, some above average musical moments and performances that are quite wonderful.