SUNNY SKIES was the first of two films pairing western/serial/action-film leading man Rex Lease (who also sings and dances here) and dialect comedian and comic writer Benny Rubin, made for Tiffany Films in 1930. While the second film, Hot Curves, has its charms, this one is the film to watch. SUNNY SKIES brings together this incongruous duo (who in many ways foreshadow Martin and Lewis!)for a film that features wonderful comedy, warm characterizations, fun 1920's-style songs (played on a ukulele!), great dancing, sports sequences, even some tragedy! Director Norman Taurog continued milking this formula for decades afterwards...even into his Elvis Presley films of the 1960's. While this was a low-budget quickie meant as disposable entertainment for the lower-end of the film marketplace, it turns out to be a charming window into a long-gone age--in fact, there's even a racoon coat in one scene! (all that's missing is someone crooning into a megaphone).
Rex Lease had a long and successful career as a stalwart leading man in low-budget early 30s action films and serials and westerns, and then he graduated into fine supporting roles at Republic and elsewhere. Benny Rubin had his own series of comedy shorts and was also a successful write of comedy both for himself and others. Rubin may be best known to those under 60 for his many appearances on the Jack Benny TV show. Also, Rubin seems to have been an influence on Jerry Lewis. In fact, Lewis himself used him in a number of small roles and cameos in Lewis' solo films. I don't know who ever thought of pairing the two, but the chemistry is superb, each plays a real three-dimensional character, and one minute you'll be laughing, the next minute you'll be teary-eyed. A wonderful slice of early-sound-era entertainment that still works today.
Rex Lease had a long and successful career as a stalwart leading man in low-budget early 30s action films and serials and westerns, and then he graduated into fine supporting roles at Republic and elsewhere. Benny Rubin had his own series of comedy shorts and was also a successful write of comedy both for himself and others. Rubin may be best known to those under 60 for his many appearances on the Jack Benny TV show. Also, Rubin seems to have been an influence on Jerry Lewis. In fact, Lewis himself used him in a number of small roles and cameos in Lewis' solo films. I don't know who ever thought of pairing the two, but the chemistry is superb, each plays a real three-dimensional character, and one minute you'll be laughing, the next minute you'll be teary-eyed. A wonderful slice of early-sound-era entertainment that still works today.