Wake Up And Live

Director: Sidney Lanfield Sidney Lanfield

Overview

The hyped-up 1930s radio feud between bandleader Ben Bernie and columnist Walter Winchell is all but forgotten today, but that doesn't lessen the entertainment value of the Bernie/Winchell vehicle Wake Up and Live. Amidst the bickering of the two stars, the film traces the progress of mike-shy singer Jack Haley (whose singing voice was dubbed by Buddy Clark). Leading lady Alice Faye tricks Haley into singing on the air with Bernie's orchestra, which results in Winchell doing his best to discredit both Bernie and Haley. Eventually Haley and Alice Faye fall in love, and Ben and Walter patch up their differences. So successful was Wake Up and Live that 20th Century-Fox rushed Bernie and Winchell into a follow-up, Love and Hisses (38), but by that time their feud had taken second place in the hearts of America to the equally contrived "battle" between Jack Benny and Fred Allen.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/16/2013
UPC:	0024543863359
Original Release:	1937
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Presentation:	[B&W, Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:31:00
Sales rank:	50,603

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Walter Winchell	Himself
Ben Bernie	Himself
Alice Faye	Alice Huntley
Patsy Kelly	Patsy Kane
Ned Sparks	Steve Cluskey
Grace Bradley	Jean Roberts
Walter Catlett	Gus Avery
Leah Ray	Cafe Singer
Joan Davis	Spanish Dancer
Douglas Fowley	Herman
Miles Mander	James Stratton
Brewster Twins	Themselves
Etienne Girardot	Waldo Peebles
Paul Hurst	McCabe
George Givot	Manager
Barnett Parker	Foster
Charles Williams	Alberts
Warren Hymer	1st Gunman
Edward Gargan	Murphy
William Demarest	Attendant
John Sheehan	Attendant
Rosemary Glosz	Singer
Robert Lowery	Chauffeur
Ben Bemie & Band	Themselves
George Chandler	Janitor
Gary Breckner	Announcer
Elyse Knox	Nurse
Ellen Prescott	Girl
Harry Tyler	Buick Driver
George Andre Beranger	Accompanist
Jack Haley Jr.	Eddie Kane
Buddy Clark	Voice over

Technical Credits

Sidney Lanfield	Director
Kenneth MacGowan	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Bubbly, fizzy fun is the order of the day in Wake Up and Live, a nifty little tuner that may not be great but is definitely an entertaining way to pass the time. Live is one of those films that wants nothing more than to provide diversion, and it succeeds admirably in meeting its goal. It also demonstrates the thin line between a fun, worthwhile film and a dull one; the basic plot of Live is not one to inspire confidence and deals with the kind of things that many lesser musicals deal with. But Live handles them with zip and pep; more importantly, while it knows it's basic story is just so much nonsense, it still treats it as deserving of attention and the writers give the performers real material to work with, rather than just a collection of lame gags. It also helps that Live has some really catchy numbers, such as the title tune, and a very beautiful, languid and unusual ballad in the classic "There's a Lull in My Life." And, of course, it helps that the delectable Alice Faye is on hand to sing several of the songs, aided by the smooth crooning tones of Buddy Clark, dubbing Jack Haley (who makes up for being dubbed by giving a sustained comic performance that it is delightful). Walter Winchell and Ben Bernie do very well, especially for non-actors, and Patsy Kelly and Ned Sparks provide ample comedy. Throw in some powerhouse tapping from the Condo Brothers, and the result is a lively, engaging musical.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler