SYNOPSIS: Dancing sailor jumps ship in Cuba and falls in love with a beautiful dancing lady. Unfortunately, he is not the only person interested in winning favor with the said trouper. His rival, of course, is a local playboy who happens to be one of the richest men in Cuba.
NOTES: Although he lived another 43 years, this was Tommy Wonder's last movie, though he did make a TV appearance in 1952.
First of four film appearances by Dee Tatum. Third and final movie for Laurette Campeau. Only movie for Garret, Molina, Folgoso, Wolfer, Hay, Bonin and Davis.
COMMENT: A "musical noir" or a "noir musical" certainly sounds like a contradiction in terms but there are musicals such as Words and Music (1948) that have nourish moments and even whole scenes that linger in the memory. Right up until its final reel when it suddenly reverts to type, this is a riveting musical film noir, moodily lit in true noir style by Don Malkames and energetically directed by Hollywood outcast, Marion Gering, whose previous film, She Married an Artist, was released way back in 1937. The support cast features a rich line-up of noir types including Michael Whalen's persuasive playboy and Dee Tatum's downbeat "best friend". A pity the movie casts off its noir plot-line and its moody, shadowy photography in the final reel, but it's still a must-see picture for all film noir fans. Despite its "B" movie length, production values firmly rate as top "A".
NOTES: Although he lived another 43 years, this was Tommy Wonder's last movie, though he did make a TV appearance in 1952.
First of four film appearances by Dee Tatum. Third and final movie for Laurette Campeau. Only movie for Garret, Molina, Folgoso, Wolfer, Hay, Bonin and Davis.
COMMENT: A "musical noir" or a "noir musical" certainly sounds like a contradiction in terms but there are musicals such as Words and Music (1948) that have nourish moments and even whole scenes that linger in the memory. Right up until its final reel when it suddenly reverts to type, this is a riveting musical film noir, moodily lit in true noir style by Don Malkames and energetically directed by Hollywood outcast, Marion Gering, whose previous film, She Married an Artist, was released way back in 1937. The support cast features a rich line-up of noir types including Michael Whalen's persuasive playboy and Dee Tatum's downbeat "best friend". A pity the movie casts off its noir plot-line and its moody, shadowy photography in the final reel, but it's still a must-see picture for all film noir fans. Despite its "B" movie length, production values firmly rate as top "A".