calvinnme This movie was supposed to be a musical, but by 1930 audiences had tired of at least the "All Singing" part of "All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing" movies. Virtually everyone's first talking picture was a musical, and there just wasn't enough good music to go around. Theaters were even putting up signs in the cases of movies that sounded like they might be musicals with statements that read "This is not a musical" so as not to repel audiences. This situation lasted until 1933.In this case, the movie probably would have been much better if it had gone through with the originally planned musical format. The introductory titles show that the music was written by Irving Berlin, and the cast even includes crooner Bing Crosby, who was so good in "The King of Jazz" that came out that same year. Instead, there is only one musical number two-thirds of the way into the film, and that is the only place we get to see or hear Bing Crosby. On top of that, Bebe Daniels, the lead actress, was a much better singer than she was an actress. Thus making this a romantic comedy of sorts really took away from all that she could have brought to the movie.What you're left with is a little bit more than a shell of a movie. It seems like nobody bothered to fill in the blanks left by the depletion of the would-have-been musical numbers. I give this movie six stars instead of five mainly because of the historical value. Douglas Fairbanks would make only two more movies after this one. Someone else has already mentioned the factor his voice played in the end of his talkie career. It is worth mentioning that his voice isn't outright bad, but it just doesn't match the swashbuckling image he had developed during the silent era. It's a higher pitch than what you're expecting. It is great fun to see him doing some of his trademark acrobatic moves during the film, and it's hard to believe a man of almost 50 could still be so agile and have such a youthful and vigorous appearance. Particularly entertaining is Edward Everett Horton as the valet. He had a good career in silent films, but he would do even better as a character actor in the age of talking pictures where dialogue really allowed him to shine as a well-meaning if somewhat befuddled character in a myriad of films. Also, various sets in the film show off some fine and interesting examples of 1930 architecture, and it is interesting to see how the early stages of the depression were interpreted by people at the time. In 1930 the stock market sell-off is still portrayed as a "panic" and a temporary set-back that has merely bankrupted a few high-rolling financiers.

fitzbe I didn't know they made movies about scoring back in the 30s. The Jeckel/Hyde effects of Edward Everett Horton's "spanish fly" brew are a hoot. I found this gem on a miss marked double feature Bing Crosy DVD at the dollar store. The DVD titled "Road to Hollywood"/"Sound of Laughter" did not contain the film "Sound of Laughter" but instead "Reaching for the Moon" This copy contained no opening or closing titles or credits, indeed the menu screen was just a still frame from the middle of the picture with the sole option of "Play". With "zip" for information, It took me some time just to Identify the title. There is a token appearance of Bing Crosby in the film to sing one song. Fairbanks, Horton and Bebe Daniels all sparkle in this Society film about a beautiful flirt and the wall-street tycoon she taunts.

Rich Drezen (Drezzilla) I've seen two of Doug's five talkies, this and "The Private Life of Don Juan" (1934). This one was the better of the two, at least in my opinion. I bought it in one of those 50-musicals pack by Mill Creek Entertainment which transfered it from a very high quality VHS master (thinking of it as a 16 mm transfer would be going a little too low because the quality of the picture was great but the sound was very brushy but audible) from a 66 minute cut (the most common version) and while I was watching it, I listened closely in on Doug's rather high-pitched voice, which sounded much better in this picture than in "PLODJ" and at times his performance was gut-bustingly hilarious. I'm referring to a scene where he gets drunk, and starts leaping around the room, climbing up walls, and tackling other hotel guests when they break in to see what all the commotion's about. Had Doug stuck around a little while longer, made more pictures like this one, and not have been so resilient to the constraint of sound (which was slightly improving) he would have been a much better known celebrity even today. I mean, yeah, he was better known for his athletics in the Zorro films, "The Black Pirate", and "Robin Hood" (among others), but even after the days of silent pictures were over, I still think he gave it his best effort when he moved to talkies, as little as he did.

tri-4 This is a classic 1920's era Irving Berlin movie with some of the best costumes and most excellently produced 1920's dance scenes. Although the movie is only 62 minutes, there is so much fun, that you'll not want it to end! It seems that this movie lasts longer than the hour because it is so good!Here is a brief synopsis: It takes place right before the stock market crash. Doug is a tycoon. He is a dud when it comes to any affairs of the heart. A beautiful girl comes into his office to talk to him about a problem. Doug can't solve the problem, but falls head-over-heels in love with this girl. He hears she's going to Europe by boat and chases after her. She's headed to Europe to get married. He boards the ship also and chases after her on board. Meanwhile the market crashes and he is wiped out. During a big scene, she embarrasses him while her friends hide in a life boat while he confesses his love to her. There is a lot more to go before this movie sends!I won't tell you how it ends!ALSO: a young Edward Everet Horton plays a butler in this flick on board the ship. There's a very young crooner that makes a singing appearance on board!Those of you looking for a great play to put on at your college or high school should seek out the screenplay for this movie!Enjoy!