Time Out for Rhythm

Columbia Pictures, 1941
Starring Rosemary Lane, Rudy Vallee, The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Curly Howard, and Larry Fine), and Ann Miller
Directed by Sidney Salkow
Music by Saul Chaplin; Lyrics by Sammy Cahn

And I'm back! My first review after my vacation hiatus is this rare B-tuner from Columbia Pictures. A surprisingly good cast for a small-scale musical enlivens this story of the maid of a popular singer who may have to go on for her boss when the singer causes trouble between a pair of agents. Let's head to a popular nightclub to see where the Three Stooges fit into all this...

The Story: Harvard graduate Danny Collins (Vallee) and mouthy agent Mike Armstrong (Richard Lane) meet at a nightclub, where the latter is admiring singer Frances Lewis (Rosemary Lane). They form a fruitful partnership, including bringing Frances into the spotlight. Mike really loves her, but she has her own plans. Danny realizes that she's out for her own gain and is only using Mike, but he's too smitten to believe him. Her interference eventually destroys their friendship, causing them to break up the agency. Danny works out slightly better than Mike on his own. He discovers that Frances' maid Kitty (Miller) is an amazing dancer in her own right, but she's shy and doesn't like the spotlight. It'll take Mike seeing Frances for what she is and patching up hurt feelings with Danny to finally get Kitty out of her shell and onto the stage.

The Song and Dance: So where do the Stooges fit into this? They're messengers for Danny and Mike who really want a chance at a stage contract. As such, they get to perform some classic routines, including the first theatrical version of the "Maharajah" sketch. I like that the emphasis is on Mike and Danny's relationship with each other, not with the ladies. Not every musical has to be about romance.

Favorite Number: "The Boogie Woogie Man" is a nifty number with Glen Gray's Casa Loma Orchestra that shows off somer really cool black and white contrasting effects. Miller shines in the solo "A'Twiddlin' My Thumbs" when she's still working for Frances and is dancing as a maid and the charming duet with Allen Jenkins, "Obviously the Gentleman Prefers to Dances." The Stooges and the two secretaries they'd been flirting with join Miller for the big sparkly Latin-themed finale to the title song. (And yes, that is Curly dressed as Carmen Miranda.)

What I Don't Like: I wish Miller was in more of the movie. She really brightens the second half, and is infinitely more interesting than nasal Richard Lane and stiff Vallee. This isn't for people who prefer their musicals bigger and more epic in scope, or are looking for a meatier story. (And it's definitely not for non-Stooges fans.)

The Big Finale: If you're a fan of Miller or the Stooges, or want to see what a backstage musical looks like on a small budget, this short movie is worth taking time out for.

Home Media: Currently only available as a made-to-order DVD from the Sony Choice Collection or as part of the 20 Musicals set from Mill Creek Entertainment.

DVD
DVD - Musicals 20 Movies Collection