Swing Your Lady (1938)

Redundant and unnecessary.

It is a performances centric movie

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

New York fight manager Humphrey Bogart (as Ed Hatch) goes to the Ozarks with his dim-witted wrestler Nat Pendleton (as Joe "Hercules" Skopapolous). Joining Mr. Bogart down South are his squeaky-voiced girlfriend Penny Singleton (as Cookie Shannon) plus wrestling trainers Frank McHugh (as Popeye) and Allen Jenkins (as Shiner). Bogart meets tough lady blacksmith Louise Fazenda (as Sadie Horn) and decides to promote a battle of the sexes for the local hillbillies, pitting Ms. Fazenda against Mr. Pendleton. When the proposed opponents fall in love, Bogart has trouble starting a fight...Fazenda and Pendleton grow on you, while top-billed Bogart oddly becomes an unwelcome presence in his own film; this doesn't happen very often. A few of the hillbilly-flavored soundtrack singers are downright annoying. Looking happy to be acting with the cast, young Ronald Reagan (as Jack Miller) plays a small role. The wrestling match closing puts it over the top as an all-time worst.** Swing Your Lady (1/8/38) Ray Enright ~ Humphrey Bogart, Louise Fazenda, Nat Pendleton, Penny Singleton

Certainly not a typical WB offering. Jack L must have been vacationing on the moon when this was being filmed. And, I am damn glad it was filmed.Some of the reviews were, as happens so often, pretentious as all get out, and they should get out.Bogie wanted out. Doesn't matter. He was the least in "Swing Your Lady." This flick belonged to everyone else appearing, particularly Louise Fazenda and Penny Singleton who, later, was so typecast as Blondie.She is a brunett-ie here and shows stuff she never had the opportunity to display elsewhere. Her dancing is pure fun, her near-operatic voice blending perfectly with The Weaver Brothers and Elviry - another plus for this crazy, fun piece.Usually, in films like these, such guests do a number, often short, but this time their wild talents were given free rein.The Maddox Brothers and Rose had a similar act, and they are, equally, my favorite hillbilly acts.A fat plus was the character who portrayed the bearded wrestler. He was a straight hoot and, last but far from least, Nat Pendleton as a not too bright wrassler was fabulous. After TCM showed this movie they showed "6,000 Enemies," again featuring Pendleton, this time as we usually see him - as a heavy."Swing Your Lady" had some of the best hillybilly music, the cast provided lotsa laughs with a damn clever/funny script.Gee - we used to get the funny stuff without the liberal use of the 'f' word, and all the accompanying sleaze.Hey, I'm not against sleaze if it's dun tastefully. EEE-haaa.

Yes, of COURSE this is a hokey movie, but that's what makes it so funny. Louise Fazenda steals the show. Bogey is uncomfortable in his role, to be sure, but who cares? It's entertaining and wasn't meant to be anything other than that. In my opinion, it is NOT a Bogey movie - it's Louise Fazenda all the way! The music is entertaining as well and, as usual, Frank McHugh and Allen Jenkins do their part well. My favorite scene?.....Bogey asking Fazenda if she wants to "wrassle" (not meaning to wrestle him). She throws him to the ground in one fell swoop and says, "Now, say 'Hootie Owl'." I think it loses in translation...but I laughed out loud.

There are a few laughs here and some nice old-time country music. The wrestling match is great, thanks to Daniel Boone Savage. Ronald Reagan has a short part. For Bogart fans, this film is a must because he didn't act in very many comedies.