Varsity Show

US (1937): Musical/Dance

This is another of those pieces of fluff that almost meant the death knell for musicals in the 1930s. The dumbest of plots -- college kids plead for an old alumnus (now a down and out producer) to help them put on their varsity show. It's an excuse for many songs and a much-acclaimed (but rather lame) Busby Berkeley Finale in which the cast form a series of college letters in the now overly familiar shot from above kaleidoscope effect Berkeley wore into the ground. Dick Powell is charming but getting a bit long in the tooth already for this sort of thing. Rosemary Lane misses in her claim for stardom but sister Priscilla is starting a bright career in comedy here. Walter Catlett is amusing as a stuffy professor who wants a more cultured approach to the show material and John Alexander has an unbilled bit as the Mayor. Nothing at all outstanding here, although the songs are pleasant enough. It passes the time. (IMDb)

· Dance Direction 1937: Busby Berkeley, "The Finale" number

1 nomination