Playing Around (1930)

Please don't spend money on this.

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

If you're looking for a subtle film, then I suggest you not watch "Playing Around". It has a very heavy-handed moralistic plot and it practically bashes you over the head with its message.When the film begins, Jack (William Bakewell) takes his date, Sheba (Alice White), to a night club. But he's shocked at the prices and can't possibly afford the place on his salary...which is understandable. What isn't understandable is the drip, Jack, insisting they just go home. Not surprisingly, Sheba is NOT happy about this and a fast-talking playboy, Nicky (Chester Morris) notices...and swoops in to impress the pretty lady. Soon Nicky and Sheba are dating...but trouble looms as Nicky is a cheap crook...and ends up shooting Sheba's father!!! It's the most insane of coincidences, that's for sure!The coincidence is bad enough...but the film is so obvious and amateurishly written that I won't recommend you watch it. Not a terrible film exactly...but far from a good one! It's a shame as I usually love Chester Morris films.

Bubbly blonde Alice White (as Sheba Miller) enjoys an evening out at "The Pirates Den", an expensive nightclub. Her boyfriend William Bakewell (as Jack), a soda jerk making only $35 per week, thinks the place is out of their price range and wants to leave. On the way out, Ms. White enters the club's "pageant of the knees" contest and is judged by suave Chester Morris (as Nickey Solomon) to have the prettiest legs. Named "Queen of the Den," White sings "You Learn About Love Every Day" and arouses Mr. Morris. His friends advise White is a "no," but Morris considers her a possibility. White loves her childhood sweetheart, but is drawn to Morris' fancy lifestyle. White doesn't know it, but Morris has a secret she may not like...This is a fairly typical plot, but the production turns out to be engaging. The popular elements of early talking pictures fall into place, with nightclub providing a natural site for musical numbers. The acrobatic blonde and other young women are an attractive diversion. Sounds of the city are natural, with Morris' car horn providing a focal point which fits neatly into the plot. The story, from writers Vina Delmar and Frances Nordstrom, is not extraordinary – however, secondary cultural characters and situations help keep it lively. The performances are theatrical, which fits the presentation as "Playing Around" is staged nicely by director Mervyn LeRoy and photographer Sol Polito; their lighting and tracking of sets a highlight.****** Playing Around (1/19/30) Mervyn LeRoy ~ Alice White, Chester Morris, William Bakewell, Richard Carlyle

Beautiful blonde flapper Sheba Miller (Alice White) wins a loveliest legs contest and is pursued by shady gangster Nickey Solomon (Chester Morris). She quickly dumps her poor boyfriend Jack (William Bakewell) to be with the handsome Nickey. Although Sheba thinks Nicky is rich he is actually deeply in debt.*** SPOLERS ***Desperate for cash Nickey robs a cigar store owned by Sheba's father and ends up shooting him. The only witness was Sheba's ex-boyfriend Jack. Nickey tries to get out of town but is caught by the police at the train station. Sheba reunites with Jack and accepts his marriage proposal.Alice White gives a delightful performance as Sheba. She was a very beautiful and talented actress who deserves to be remembered today. One of the highlights of this film is Alice singing You Learn About Love Every Day. There were always rumors that Alice's singing voice was dubbed in her films but she sings this one live on stage.

First National had a lot of faith in feisty Alice White - enough to give her the lead in "Playing Around". It was based on the story "Sheba" by Vina Delmar who had become an overnight sensation with her novel "Bad Girl" - she then proceeded to shock America with stories like "Sheba" and "Pick Up". Alice White had once been a secretary to Joseph Von Sternberg and later to Charlie Chaplin but her bubbling personality and cute looks couldn't keep her out of the movies - especially in Hollywood!!! She was First Nationals answer to Clara Bow but unfortunately her career was over before it got started. 1931, the year after "Playing Around" saw her in her last starring role "The Naughty Flirt" and after that she was reduced to supporting roles.The movie starts off with a rousing number - "You're My Captain, Kid". It is part of a cabaret act set on a pirate ship - there is singing, dancing and exotic acrobatics. Sheba (Alice White) is taken there by her boyfriend Jack (William Bakewell) but she is turned off by his "penny pinching" comments - she wants the high life. Just as they are about to leave she impulsively enters a "legs" competition and wins. Her singing of "You Learn About Love Every Day" is cute and catches the eye of one of the judges, Nicky Solomon (Chester Morris) much to Jack's disgust - he doesn't like seeing her on display. He accuses her of "playing around" and not wanting to settle down.Nicky finds Sheba on the sidewalk, having missed her bus and takes her to dinner and a show. Sheba is dazzled by his flashiness and fancy car but Nicky is a fake. He has no money and relies on petty robberies to keep him supplied with cash. One of these jobs takes him to Sheba's father's drug store where he shoots the elderly man in cold blood. There is an eye witness - Jack, who was unnoticed in a phone booth. Sheba is unaware that her father has been hurt but Jack is on the ball and by some smart detective work brings the cold blooded Nicky to justice.This movie had a pretty good story and while Alice White may not win any acting awards she was very cute, as was Marion Byron, who had a small part as Maudie, a perky switchboard operator. Byron brightened up many movies of this vintage. Chester Morris was definitely on his way to better things. The same year he starred in "The Divorcée" and "The Big House".Recommended.