Dixiana

RKO, 1930
Starring Bebe Daniels, Bert Wheeler & Bob Woosley, Everett Marshall, and Joseph Cawthorn
Directed by Luther Reed
Music by Harry Tierney; Lyrics by Ann Caldwell and Benny Davis

After RKO had success with the musical western Rio Rita in 1929, they decided to throw its stars Daniels, Wheeler, and Woosley into another historical epic. This time, they really went all-out, with lavish sets and costumes, early Technicolor in the finale, and Metropolitan Opera baritone Everett Marshall as Daniels' leading man. How does this frothy bit of southern comfort look today? Let's head to the Van Horn plantation in Louisiana as its owner Cornelius Van Horn (Cawthorn) is having a chat with his son Carl (Marshall) and find out...

The Story: Carl goes to New Orleans to find a bride...and returns with the lovely Dixiana Caldwell (Daniels) and her two goofy friends Peewee (Wheeler) and Ginger Dandy (Woosley). She's accepted by one at all, until Ginger lets it slip that he, his buddy, and Dixiana were once circus performers. Mrs. Van Horn (Jobyna Howland) is scandalized, and Dixiana and the guys are sent back to New Orleans in disgrace.

Desperate for work, the trio take jobs at a local gambling den, run by Royal Montague (Ralf Harolde). Royal not only has his own interests in Dixiana, but he's after the Van Horn fortune. He intends to use Carl's continuing interest in Dixiana as blackmail to force him into giving up money. During Mardi Gras, Royal kidnaps Dixiana...but she's the one who is on top of things and helps Carl reveal Royal for the less-than-royal blackguard he is. Meanwhile, Ginger and Peewee almost have a duel over pretty, perky local lass Poppy (Dorothy Lee).

The Song and Dance: Wheeler and Woosley are, admittedly, an acquired taste. Some folks find them funny even now; others think they're more annoying than hilarious. Some of their business does still work, especially their attempts at showing off for the crowds at the engagement party with silly tricks.

This is worth seeing just for the final 20 minutes. The two-strip Technicolor finale was lost for years, until it was unearthed and restored in 1988. It was worth it. The color is gorgeous, glowing and warm, and Daniels looks every inch the Queen she is at the Mardi Gras.

Favorite Number: The opening "Mrs. and Mr. Sippi," performed by Marshall in the credits and very start of the film, isn't too bad, even if it doesn't have much to do with the movie itself. Bill Robinson makes his film debut with a dynamic, delightful tap solo to an instrumental version in the finale. Daniels' first song "I am Your Baby Now" is a bit short, but it does have a unique entrance, with her popping out of a huge egg. Dorothy Lee and Bert Wheeler clown to "My One Ambition Is You," while Bob Woosley reveals to the chorus girls at Mardi Gras why "A Lady Loves a Soldier."

What I Don't Like: They put too much focus on the production and not nearly enough on the cliched story. We don't really learn much about any of the characters. Poppy just appears mid-way through with no explanation, and Dixiana is so dull and poorly-written, you really can't understand why all these men are fighting over her. Most of the music isn't terribly memorable, either, and as mentioned, Wheeler and Woosley's comedy tends to be an acquired taste at best. Everett Marshall sings well, but he tends to overact like he's at the Met, has zero chemistry with Daniels,and has a strange face that looks like it belongs to two different people.

The Big Finale: Only for fans of Wheeler and Woosley, Robinson, or early talkie musicals.

Home Media: It's in the public domain and can easily be found on several different DVD copies. Amazon Prime and Sling TV have it with a subscription.

DVD
Amazon Prime