Review of College Swing

The consensus of most reviewers is that this film has so flimsy a story, that it should be considered a variety show or showcase for some of it's newer stars. To me, this is an overstatement. The associated drama may be loony and contrived, but there is a thread of a story, mostly silly, that runs through most of the film. This begins in the prologue, which is sited in 1738, in a schoolhouse, evidently in New England. The graduation ceremony is being conducted by E.E. Horton. A boy's choir sings. But Gracie Alden has failed to graduate for the 9th year. Her father, who owns the school, states that if one of her female descendants, over the next 200 years qualifies to graduate, she will be given possession of the school, as well as some financial inheritance. Otherwise, 200 years from now, the school will be declared independent.......Now, it's exactly 200 years later, and Gracie's descendant, also called Gracie, has failed her examination 9 times, again. She gets one more chance to win the school. Everyone assumes she has no chance to pass. However, she hires an aid in Bud Brady(Bob Hope) who prepares a cheat sheet. However, he mistakenly gives her his laundry supply list! Miraculously, this contains the answers to all the questions, and she passes! She's about to make some revolutionary changes in policy. Henceforth, there will be no entrance requirements. The present faculty is fired, and some weird incompetents take their places. Also, the new position of professor of romance it created. This is filled by Theresa(Martha Ray). Ben Blue is the thoroughly incompetent instructor of women's physical fitness. Big-eyed ,mustached, Jerry Colonna is the new music instructor, and demonstrates his signature siren-like monotone. Later, there is some question as to whether Gracie cheated on her exam. So, another exam is given. Hope comes up with another cheating scheme, invented by Ben Blue, involving a microphone, small purse radio, and small earphones, on the ends of her glasses, which she normally doesn't wear. Hope feeds answers to her. It goes well at first, but then.......Yep. Pretty goofy. If you can't take Gracie's brand of humor, nor that of Martha Ray, who dominates much of the second half, you will definitely be in trouble......There's slight plot threads that involve romantic couples. Handsome John Payne and gorgeous blond Florence George are the main one, who appear several times. The first time, Payne, with wings, serenades Florence with "What did Romeo Say to Juliet?", and she responds. Later, they sing "I Fall in Love with You Every Day"....... Near the end, Gracie and Horton become a pair. Gracie sings "You're a Natural" , followed by dancing an Irish jig. Martha and Ben sing and do a weird dance to "What a Rumba Does to Romance." Martha and Hope sing "Howdja Like to Love Me", while the 3 Slate brothers sing and dance a bit as part of the initial "College Swing" production. Speaking of "College Swing", it's sung and danced to just after the prologue, and again as the finale. Betty Grable leads the singing and dancing for the initial rendition, while Martha Raye leads the singing and Betty leads the dancing in the finale.......This was one of only 2 films that Florence George played a part in. Perhaps she lacked something important in her personality that Betty had. She would, however, have a musical and acting career in other media........If you think you would like Hope, Martha, and Betty as a star team, I can recommend "Give Me a Sailor", which came out the same year. Both this film and "College Swing" are currently available at YouTube.