William Haines is "Brennan", flirting with "Marion (Mary Doran). Turns out Brennan went to school with her brother Sam (Charles King). Might be a chance meeting for Brennan and Sam, as they partner up in radio. The playwrights get credit, but thar ain't no credited director. John Miljan is in this one too, as Kruger, a mind-reader and fortune teller. He isn't really what he seems to be. Miljan and Haines had worked together on six films over the years. They start interviewing acts for the radio station, but its just an excuse to show us their vaudeville acts. Haines carries the film, in an awkward kind of way. Guess he wasn't quite used to the talkies yet. He hams it up, and really over-acts. About halfway through, it turns into a crime thriller. it's Polly Moran who steals the show. She had done vaudeville for years (with Marie Dressler, no less !) She plays a dour, goofy girl, and is the gem here. Picture and sound quality are actually pretty good. This DVD is from Warner Archives. The film is missing a chemistry between the actors.. they each seem to be doing their own show. It gets better towards the end, if you hang in there. This is another film that I had been hoping would come on TCM, but found it available on their web site, pretty cheap!
Review of Remote Control
