Manhattan Merry-Go-Round

Director: Charles F. Riesner Charles F. Riesner

Overview

In this musical comedy, a crooked record producer uses his mob connections to force performers to do their stuff. The trouble really begins when the gangster's strong-arm tactics nearly cause a singer to lose his fiancée. A wide variety of entertainers appear including cowboy crooner Gene Autry, baseball hero Joe DiMaggio, and big band stars Cab Calloway, Ted Lewis, and the Kay Thompson Singers. Songs include "Mamma I Wanna Make Rhythm," "Manhattan Merry-Go-Round," "Heaven?," "I Owe You," and "It's Round-up Time in Reno."

Product Details

Release Date:	07/09/2015
UPC:	0644827102228
Original Release:	1937
Source:	Reel Vault
Language:	English
Sales rank:	42,466

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Leo Carrillo	Tony Gordoni
Phil Regan	Jerry Hart
Ann Dvorak	Ann Rogers
Tamara Geva	Charlizzini
Henry Armetta	Spadoni
James Gleason	Danny The Duck
Gene Autry	Performer,Himself
Joe DiMaggio	Performer,Himself
Ted Lewis	Performer
Cab Calloway	Performer
Louis Prima	Performer
Luis Alberni	Martinetti
Smiley Burnette	Frog
Selmer Jackson	J. Henry Thorne,J. Henry Thorne
Eddie Kane	McMurray
Moroni Olsen	Jonathan
Nellie V. Nichols	Momma Gordoni
Gennaro Curci	Michael Angelo
Sam Finn	Speed
Al Herman	Blackie
Bob Perry	Baldy,Baldy
Jack Adair	Eddie
Thelma Wunder	Dorothy
Max Terhune	Himself
Rosalean and Seville	Themselves
Kay Thompson	Actor
Dorothy Arnold	uncredited dancer

Technical Credits

Harry Sauber

Charles F. Riesner	Director
Harry Sauber	Producer,Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Manhattan Merry-Go-Round is a silly little trifle, but for those in an undemanding mood, it's kind of fun. Forget about the plot. It's there, and it actually is a little stronger than the plots of other movies which were really musical revues but were afraid to admit it; but Manhattan's plot is not what makes it worth watching. It's the specialties, the musical and other acts that are peppered throughout the film. For oddity, there's the sight of Joe DiMaggio warbling a little before recounting a story about his sterling baseball career. On a more engaging note, there's the unique Kay Thompson in one of her rare screen appearances, lending her special magic to "I Owe You" and "All Over Nothing at All," and the always-entertaining Cab Calloway hi-de-ho-ing through "Mama, I Want to Make Rhythm." Fans of Ted Lewis will find him in a couple of numbers, and star Phil Regan's smooth crooning is heard to good effect throughout the film -- once in conjunction with cowboy star Gene Autry. Regan also acquits himself quite nicely in the "plot" portions of the film, as does a sweet Ann Dvorak. Tamara Geva enlivens things with her diva routine, James Gleason is an interesting ladies' man/gangster and Leo Carrillo does the best he can with his one-note character. The direction is a bit iffy at times, the numbers are shot in a static manner, and the script is so much nonsense -- but you just watch it for the acts, you'll do fine.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler