This William Haines talkie is a fast-moving comedy that features the MGM star as a brash fast-talker trying to break into radio. He meets an old school chum (Charles King) who has a failing radio station. There is also a sister (Mary Doran) Haines is interested in. Haines holds open auditions to bolster the station's stable of talent. Unfortunately, a fake occultist (John Miljan) gets hired and uses the airwaves to pass coded information to his gang about burglaries and bank robberies.
Haines is breezy and very funny as Brennan. He was a unique talent in that he had the looks of a leading man but usually resorted to his "Silly Billy" antics, most of which look ad-libbed. He's a big goof having a ball making movies. In this one, we get the feeling that most of the scenes are "one-take" wonders. Haines mugs and ad-libs outlandishly as the other actors try to say their lines. Haines also breaks up twice in this film as other actors do their thing.
Among the auditioners is Benny Rubin, who likes to recite poetry ("Dangerous Dan McGrew") while wearing a cowboy suit (very effective on radio). But Rubin's schtick is a thick and comic Yiddish accent, so the poem comes out as "Dangerous Dan a Jew." Haines breaks up as Rubin does his routine. Later in the film, another auditioner, Roscoe Ates (a stuttering flute player) breaks up Haines as he pops up in a car window. It's like watching outtakes from "The Carol Burnett Show."
King has little to do after he sings his song, "Just a Little Closer." Doran seems an odd choice for a leading-lady role; she usually played hard-boiled types (as in "The Broadway Melody"). Miljan is solid as the crook. Polly Moran (hideously made up) has a few good scenes as the radio beauty expert. And Cliff Edwards, without his ukulele or a song, gets to do a hog-calling act.
Haines is breezy and very funny as Brennan. He was a unique talent in that he had the looks of a leading man but usually resorted to his "Silly Billy" antics, most of which look ad-libbed. He's a big goof having a ball making movies. In this one, we get the feeling that most of the scenes are "one-take" wonders. Haines mugs and ad-libs outlandishly as the other actors try to say their lines. Haines also breaks up twice in this film as other actors do their thing.
Among the auditioners is Benny Rubin, who likes to recite poetry ("Dangerous Dan McGrew") while wearing a cowboy suit (very effective on radio). But Rubin's schtick is a thick and comic Yiddish accent, so the poem comes out as "Dangerous Dan a Jew." Haines breaks up as Rubin does his routine. Later in the film, another auditioner, Roscoe Ates (a stuttering flute player) breaks up Haines as he pops up in a car window. It's like watching outtakes from "The Carol Burnett Show."
King has little to do after he sings his song, "Just a Little Closer." Doran seems an odd choice for a leading-lady role; she usually played hard-boiled types (as in "The Broadway Melody"). Miljan is solid as the crook. Polly Moran (hideously made up) has a few good scenes as the radio beauty expert. And Cliff Edwards, without his ukulele or a song, gets to do a hog-calling act.