Take a Chance was based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name, though only one of the original songs, Eadie Was a Lady, has been retained. The thinnish plot involves the misadventures of a pair of pickpockets, played on Broadway by Jack Haley and Sid Silvers and on film by James Dunn and Cliff “Ukelele Ike” Edwards. Tired of fleecing the suckers in a travelling carnival, our heroes head to Broadway, where they get mixed up with gangsters.
Director: Monte Brice, Laurence Schwab.
Writers: Nacio Herb Brown, Buddy G. DeSylva, Laurence Schwab, Sid Silvers, Richard A. Whiting, Vincent Youmans, Monte Brice, Buddy G. DeSylva, Laurence Schwab.
Stars: James Dunn, June Knight, Lilian Roth, Cliff Edwards, Lilian Bond, Dorothy Lee, Lona Andre, Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers, Charles Richman, Robert Gleckler, Harry Shannon, George McKay.
Quirky but enjoyable vintage 1930’s film from the risque fertile minds at Paramount. Dunn & Edwards are silly/grande as two petty pickpockets who stumble into the Broadway theatre in a lively blend of old gag routines & 1930’s musical standards. Hightlights include Lillian Roth performing her specialty number, “Sadie Was a Lady” and Ukelele Ike’s rendition of vaudeville theme, “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” The film is filled with a raft of pre-code inside jokes trying to get through the censors makes it fun. As a small side-note, the New Deal Rythmn number at the tail end was obviously originallyin the film but cut for timing reason. When you look closely, you can spot a youthful Marjorie Main as the one female politician in the hall of men. Thanks Jon for a delightful film.
Also appearing in a small role is Vivian Vance, of “I Love Lucy” fame, singing in the Eadie Was A Lady scene.