Heads Up (1930) [NR]
Featuring:
Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Helen Kane, Margaret Breen
Written by:
Jack Kirkland
John McGowan
Paul Gerard Smith
Directed by:
Victor Schertzinger
Release Date:
October 10, 1930
Original Title:
Heads Up
Genres:
Comedy | Music
Production Companies:
Paramount Pictures
Production Countries:
United States of America
Ratings / Certifications:
US: NR
Runtime: 76
Jack Mason of the Coast Guard Academy meets Mary at the graduation ball and falls in love with her, though the girl's mother finds wealthy Rex Cutting a more proper choice for her daughter. On a yachting cruise arranged by Mrs. Trumbull, Jack is not invited. Meanwhile, Mary suspects Rex of picking up contraband beyond the 12-mile limit and refuses his proposal of marriage, while Betty, her impish sister, drives Skippy to distraction in the galley, where he has installed an automatic kitchen that does most of his work. Jack smuggles himself aboard but is forcibly ejected at port by a coast guard, and Mrs. Trumbull discourages his attempt to elope with Mary; but on a subsequent cruise, he hides himself in a lifeboat with two aides. When the captain stops to take on a cargo of rum, Jack and his aides take over the vessel, and a battle ensues. The yacht is wrecked on an island, and Jack proves his heroism, while Rex reveals his true colors and is identified as a fugitive bootlegger.
"Heads Up" is a thinly plotted musical comedy which is light on both ingredients. There are only four songs, and only two from Rodgers and Hart's original score. It was based on a Broadway play which ran for 144 performances, and this number has been debated by other reviewers as to whether the show should be considered a hit or not. By today's standards that would be a near flop, but evidently in the 30's it could make a profit for backers.In any case, it could have used a stronger cast. Buddy Rogers was an attractive leading man but not a song and dance man. He has the best song in the show, the old standard "A Ship Without A Sail" and puts it over in good fashion but is accompanied by a hearty, full-throated chorus of sailors which crush the slender thread of the song with a loud, overpowering backup job. This has to be one of the most peculiar arrangements ever put on film.Also in the cast are Helen Kane and Victor Moore. Ms. Kane is given too much to do and is an overrated performer, getting by mainly on her Betty Boop voice. She sings a little, dances a little and shows minimal talent and looks for a Hollywood musical. Victor Moore was a famous Broadway figure who made the transition to Hollywood on the strength of his unique shtick, that of a flustered half-wit, which is dwelt on at length here and which soon becomes tedious. The two are entertaining together in a sequence in which he describes his kitchen inventions accompanied by some funny back-and-forth dialogue.The plot is mildly interesting, about a private vessel being used by bootleggers (Prohibition was still in force), but is neither compelling nor suspenseful. The main reason to see this film is for the viewer to evaluate its place in the history of musical comedy.
