New Faces of 1937 is a 1937 American musical film directed by Leigh Jason and starring Joe Penner, Milton Berle and Harriet Hilliard. Its plot is similar to The Producers (1968). Intended as the first film of an annual RKO Pictures revue series, poor reception ended plans for future productions.
Contents
Plot
A crooked theatrical producer deliberately sets about creating an unsuccessful show after selling more than 100% of it to investors.
Cast
Joe Penner as Seymore Seymore, aspiring actor
Milton Berle as Wallington 'Wally' Wedge
Parkyakarkus as Parky
Harriet Hilliard as Patricia 'Pat' Harrington
William Brady as James 'Jimmy' Thompson
Jerome Cowan as Robert Hunt
Thelma Leeds as Elaine Dorset
Lorraine Krueger as Suzy
Tommy Mack as Judge Hugo Straight, Conductor
Bert Gordon as Count Mischa Moody
Patricia Wilder as Pat, Hunt's Secretary
Richard Lane as Harry Barnes, Broker
Dudley Clements as Plunkett, Stage Manager
William Corson as Assistant Stage Manager
George Rosener as Peter, Stage Doorman
Dewey Robinson as Joe Guzzola
Harry C. Bradley as Count Moody's Secretary
Production
An alternate title for this film, which was in production from late March to mid-May 1937, had been listed as Young People. Singer Rene Stone, who appears in the film, was discovered by Edward Small singing while cleaning dishes in a Manhattan restaurant.
Soundtrack
"New Faces"
(1937)
Music and Lyrics by Charles Henderson
Played during the opening credits
Sung and danced by showgirls (including The Brian Sisters) and showboys to open the final show
Danced by Ann Miller
Sung by Harriet Hilliard and showgirls
"The Widow in Lace"
(1937)
Music by Harold Spina
Lyrics by Walter Bullock
Sung by Thelma Leeds and showgirls at rehearsal
Played and danced by unidentified children, probably The Loria Brothers
"Our Penthouse on Third Avenue"
(1937)
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Lew Brown
Played on piano by Harriet Hilliard and sung by her and William Brady
"It Goes to Your Feet"
(1937)
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Lew Brown
Played and sung by Eddie Rio and Brothers
Reception
The film recorded a loss of $258,000. Reviews were mixed.
The film was intended to be the first in a series of musical revues designed to introduce new RKO talent, but this did not eventuate. Film writers Richard B. Jewell and Vernon Harbin wrote that: "Containing not a single memorable musical number or inspired comedy routine, this tedious mish-mash caused the studio embarrassment a-plenty. Theatre owners and audiences displayed such hostility towards the Edward Small production in general, and Penner and Parkyakaras in particular, that RKO cancelled plans to make a New Faces of 1938."
Variety gave the film a negative review, and recommended that it be cut by twenty minutes as it "will bog down." The reviewer commented, "New Faces of 1937 is not a good picture ... It's a hodgepodge of vaudeville, nightclub and radio talent."