Comments on: The Crooner and His Megaphone

By: edster

edster — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:08:46 +0000

Is anyone here able to transfer this film onto a region free disc?
I would be happy to cover costs etc.

Thanks in advance
Eddie

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:39:32 +0000

I waited to read this amusing article until I'd had an opportunity to see Crooner and it was worth the wait. I loved the scenes when Hattie McDaniel and the girls seem to have a rush of estrogen whenever they hear Ted Taylor's annoying voice. My favorite moment is when all the sheep, lemmings, peabrains, women press their noses against the radio station's glass separating them from the object of their adoration. While I can see what you mean about the inadequacies of David Manners' screen persona (did they really think that he was a suitable consort for Stanwyck!?), I also liked him, Richard Barthelmess and Helen Chandler quite a lot in The Last Flight (1931-William Dieterle), which was based on one of John Monk Saunders' lost generation novels, Single Lady. Btw, is anyone certain that Rudy Vallee understood that he was a stock comedic character when he was in such Preston Sturges' movies as The Palm Beach Story? I suspect that he thought he was the star. Thanks for drawing attention to Crooner. It was a hoot.

By: Ned Merrill

Ned Merrill — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:47:30 +0000

Glad I thought to put this on my DVR when I browsed the TCM schedule. I will revisit your article after I view it.

By: sandi

sandi — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 23:24:32 +0000

Why do I NOT see the “GANGSTA-MAN” with the hat any more on TCM? Just the TCM in the rectangle.

By: VJESCI

VJESCI — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:17:01 +0000

“On 2 July 1789, he improvised a megaphone from a funnel that was used for emptying slops and gained the window of his room. Below him, the nearer streets were crowded with local people in the summer afternoon. Using his megaphone, Sade hailed them and began his harangue. According to witnesses, he shouted that the guards had been given orders to kill all the prisoners in the Bastille and that they were even now preparing to cut the throats of the inmates. “I stirred up the spirit of the people from my window,” he wrote, “I drew them together below it. I warned them of the preparations being made in the Bastille and urged them to tear down this monument of horrors. All that is true.” His words ran across the square and the crowd began to pay attention. As there was a response to this and a murmuring of interest, Sade urged them to be quick, if they intended to attempt a rescue.”

By: edster

edster — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:15:15 +0000

I would really like to see this movie. I wish someone would either release or upload it!

By: keelsetter

keelsetter — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:19:39 +0000

Indy rock bands have also used the megaphone to interesting effect, specifically: Michael Stipe from R.E.M. and Gibby Haynes from The B-hole Surfers.

“…killing the ladies softly with his warbling.” LOL!

By: morlockjeff

morlockjeff — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:40:35 +0000

I’ve never seen THE LAST FLIGHT but will search it out. I’m always open to a change of opinion about actors I’ve been unimpressed with when offered the opportunity to see their best work in rarely shown films.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:13:45 +0000

I’m looking forward to this one. It’s grand to see fellow Canuck Manners when he’s not being menaced by the supernatural or supercreepy.

For a similar themed film, check out the Disney short “Donald’s Dilemma” from 1947. A dropped flower pot and fame go to Donald Duck’s head.

By: Lou Lumenick

Lou Lumenick — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:16:25 +0000

Ever see William Dieterle’s “The Last Flight” (1931)? Manners is very good as a wisecracking World War I vet in Europe in this unusual movie about The Lost Generation.