Gals, Incorporated

Produced by Will Cowan, who produced most of Universal's musical two-reelers, this is basically one of Cowan's band parades with a perfunctory story sprinkled in between numbers. It's typical Leon Errol bedroom farce - he has to pretend to be married or his sister will cut off his inheritance. So he feigns marriage to a showgirl from a club he supports singlehandedly. But the showgirl falls in love with Errol's grown son. Grace McDonald is the showgirl and Harriet Hilliard gets to play a villainess (sort of) as well as sing a couple of songs. But the BIG surprise in GALS INCORPORATED is Betty Kean. Betty, whose sister was Jane Kean, was married to Lew Parker. This is one of her few films and it's a pity she didn't do more. Not only does she have great deadpan dogface delivery but she dances up a storm too. Betty and Jane must have had some swell night club act. Anyway, it's doubtful this little programmer will ever find its way onto DVD or even TCM, but if you should happen across it (I recently bought a 16mm print) be sure and watch. It's worth an hour of your time.