Mon 16 Jul 2012
Movie Review: SWEET AND LOW-DOWN (1944).
Posted by Steve under Films: Comedy/Musicals , Reviews[7] Comments
SWEET AND LOW-DOWN. 20th Century-Fox, 1944. Benny Goodman and His Band, Linda Darnell, Jack Oakie, Lynn Bari, James Cardwell, Allyn Joslyn; with Terry Moore, Gloria Talbott, and The Pied Pipers (all uncredited). Director: Archie Mayo.
Despite what a couple of viewers who’ve left comments on IMDB might tell you, Benny Goodman is not all that bad an actor. After all, it’s the perfect part: himself. But OK. If you were to pin me down, I’d have to tell you the truth. The only reason anyone would want to see this movie is to see both Goodman and his band in action. On the bandstand. At least half the movie is filled with musical numbers, one song after another, and you can take it from me, they’re all great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOCg91Rv54M&feature=relmfu
In between the songs? Well, that’s a whole other matter. Let’s assume that the truth serum you dosed me with is still working. The story is not so hot. It’s not terrible, but it sure isn’t good. James Cardwell plays a young trombone player whom Benny takes a liking to, puts him in his band, young man makes good, meets a couple of girls, starts his own band, and …
Lynn Bari plays the singer in Benny’s band, and according to IMDB, she may have done all her singing herself. I rather doubt it, but she was still a beautiful lady. The other girl in the new band member’s life is Linda Darnell, a young social heiress whose league he doesn’t belong to, but…
It’s a pleasant enough way to spend 72 minutes, if you’re a fan of the big bands. If not, you won’t last more than ten. The movie did earn one Oscar nomination. You can look it up. If you were think about it for a few seconds, though, I’m sure you can easily guess the category.
July 17th, 2012 at 1:22 am
The singer who “ghost sang” for Lynn Bari in most of her movies was Pat Friday. I assume she also did the same for SWEET AND LOW-DOWN.
Here’s a page on the Internet with an interview with her, including photo of both her and Lynn Bari:
http://www.bigbandbuddies.co.uk/Pat-friday.htm
The interview is well worth your time. I found this question and answer especially interesting:
Why weren’t you given credits on the film for your singing voice? Was my next question, to which Pat replied:
“Credits” were not given to ghost singers. In fact, my contract with 20th Century Fox forbade my telling anyone!
July 17th, 2012 at 1:30 am
To tie this in with mystery fiction, after Pat Friday worked with Jack Webb on a short-lived radio show, he asked if he could borrow her last name for another series he was starting to put together.
And we all know how that worked out.
July 17th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Big bands forever!
July 17th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Benny Goodman was supposed to have been a severe taskmaster, but he certainly knew how to put a band together. None better in his day, as far as I’m concerned, and maybe even now.
July 17th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Anyone reading this, do as Steve says above in comment #1 and read about Pat Friday. A terrific short bio straight from the horses mouth!
And a great lady besides!
April 2nd, 2014 at 1:12 am
Pat Friday did most of Lynn Bari’s dubbing. However, in this movie the singing was performed by Lorraine Elliott
April 2nd, 2014 at 9:18 am
Mrs Harris
Right you are. Thanks for the correction!