That's how Photoplay described her. Wheeler and Woolsey were hugely popular in 1930. Photoplay couldn't sing their praises highly enough for this film - "some of the funniest lines and situations ever devised", "Wheeler and Woolsey gobble up all the acting honors". Unfortunately, time has proved Photoplay wrong. Now they don't occupy such a lofty position and are almost forgotten. Dorothy Lee, who was so important a part of their team (the movies they made without her were not as good), found her career on the wane when Wheeler and Woolsey's popularity slowed down. She was definitely an asset and a major element in their appeal. Having a small part as a cute flapper in "Syncopation" (1929)(she toured with Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians), Bert Wheeler saw her and thought she would be perfect for "Rio Rita' and the rest is history.
Tommy Simpson (Bert Wheeler) and Gilbert (Robert Woolsey) are a pair of privates AWOL in Paris in 1918. Catching them is the army's top priority as they are cutting up the town - impersonating officers and flirting with pretty girls. They have badges for every rank - Captain, Major, Rear Admiral - until Tommy meets Annette (Dorothy Lee) and falls for her hook, line and sinker - the only trouble - she is the general's daughter!!!
Wheeler and Lee have such a wonderful rapport - it was clear they must have been great friends in real life. "Are you married? - No, I just naturally look worried!!", "I think it's a shame to send cute little fellas like you to the front - That's what I told them, but they wouldn't listen"!!! They soon go into a cute song and dance "Whistling the Blues Away". The three of them then drive to the country where they continue the song as a comic ballet send up (ballet pieces were very popular in musicals at that time). Dorothy Lee is just unbelievably adorable - especially when she is mad at Tommy for being a ladie's man. Leni Stengel plays Olga, the vamp, who is trying to romance Annette's father, but settles for Gilbert instead. Annette says "I may be able to pick up a few pointers from this baby!!!". The song is reprised again in a nightclub as a precision tap dance. There is a funny sequence when the boys disguise themselves as waiters. Annette then steals some orders so Tommy can deliver them and prove to her dad that he is a true hero. There is another song,the quite unmemorable "Nothing But Love" sung by Gilbert and Olga - Stengel had originally trained for the Opera. Again another funny balletic dance that Wheeler and Woolsey movies were noted for.
Dorothy Lee is the real reason to watch this film. Her athleticism is very apparent - especially in "Whistling the Blues Away" where she leaps and bounds and jumps from the roof of a car, only to land on the ground when the boys run off. Hugh Trevor had a small role as a soldier in love with Annette's sister. I think he was definitely an up and coming star - he stands out in this film. He was handsome, could sing and also act - it was a pity he retired early from films.
Recommended.
Tommy Simpson (Bert Wheeler) and Gilbert (Robert Woolsey) are a pair of privates AWOL in Paris in 1918. Catching them is the army's top priority as they are cutting up the town - impersonating officers and flirting with pretty girls. They have badges for every rank - Captain, Major, Rear Admiral - until Tommy meets Annette (Dorothy Lee) and falls for her hook, line and sinker - the only trouble - she is the general's daughter!!!
Wheeler and Lee have such a wonderful rapport - it was clear they must have been great friends in real life. "Are you married? - No, I just naturally look worried!!", "I think it's a shame to send cute little fellas like you to the front - That's what I told them, but they wouldn't listen"!!! They soon go into a cute song and dance "Whistling the Blues Away". The three of them then drive to the country where they continue the song as a comic ballet send up (ballet pieces were very popular in musicals at that time). Dorothy Lee is just unbelievably adorable - especially when she is mad at Tommy for being a ladie's man. Leni Stengel plays Olga, the vamp, who is trying to romance Annette's father, but settles for Gilbert instead. Annette says "I may be able to pick up a few pointers from this baby!!!". The song is reprised again in a nightclub as a precision tap dance. There is a funny sequence when the boys disguise themselves as waiters. Annette then steals some orders so Tommy can deliver them and prove to her dad that he is a true hero. There is another song,the quite unmemorable "Nothing But Love" sung by Gilbert and Olga - Stengel had originally trained for the Opera. Again another funny balletic dance that Wheeler and Woolsey movies were noted for.
Dorothy Lee is the real reason to watch this film. Her athleticism is very apparent - especially in "Whistling the Blues Away" where she leaps and bounds and jumps from the roof of a car, only to land on the ground when the boys run off. Hugh Trevor had a small role as a soldier in love with Annette's sister. I think he was definitely an up and coming star - he stands out in this film. He was handsome, could sing and also act - it was a pity he retired early from films.
Recommended.