This is the third of the four "Big Broadcast" films made in the 1930s (with some of the same cast members appearing in more than one). I've only seen one of them so far, the more widely available "1938" edition, and compared to that, this one feels like a more cramped, claustrophobic production. The story is weak even by musical-comedy standards; there are also some bad jokes (many of them coming from Bob Burns) and mediocre songs. But there are bright spots as well, like the innovative coverage of the Benny Goodman and Leopold Stokowski segments. The female portion of the cast outshines the male in this movie, with Gracie Allen her usual nonsense-funny self, Shirley Ross lovely, and Martha Raye not given much to do until she gets what is probably the liveliest song in the film, "Mr. Rhythm". On the whole, a very mixed bag. **1/2 out of 4.
Review of The Big Broadcast of 1937
