Man About Town

For much of the '30s, Eddie Anderson had appeared in many films as either a brief extra or somewhat of a supporting character. Then. a few years back before this movie, he became a regular on Jack Benny's radio show as his butler Rochester. In many previous pictures, Anderson had been credited as his own name but because of his fame on the radio program being announced as his character by Don Wilson, he's credited as Rochester in the opening credits though as his own name as playing Rochester by the end credits. For the rest of the Paramount films, it's his character name he's credited as. It's also to the benefit of working for Benny that Eddie has more screen time than previously including performing a couple of dance spots. And as on radio, he and Jack have great chemistry on screen. They're usually the best part of this movie which also has Benny's other co-star from his radio show, Phil Harris, doing his own wisecracking and conducting his band and singing a tune as do also Betty Grable-pre-stardom-wise-and leading lady Dorothy Lamour. I'll stop there and just say I liked the comedy plot about mistaken identity concerning who the Benny character is involved with romantically and many of the troupe dancers that were being showcased here. So that's a recommendation of Man About Town.

This is a pretty weak effort from Benny and the team. Jack and Rochester try but the material is so unfunny that they don't get very far. Rochester's two dance numbers are the highlights - and Benny's attempt at being a member of an acrobatic troupe is very funny. The rest is pretty dull with some bad casting (Edward Arnold as an English Lord?) and really bad musical numbers. Benny's show would never have made it to Hoboken, let alone London - the songs are just awful. No wonder there are only about twenty in the audience - I guess they were saving on extras. Dorothy Lamour looks bored, but Betty Grable provides a bit of life in a small but memorable role. Also good is E.E. Clive as a butler. And what a fizzer of an ending - it doesn't even make sense.

I have always been a big fan of Jack Benny.I was looking forward to watching this film but what a letdown.It was desperately unfunny.There was absolutely no chemistry between him and his co stars.The musical numbers were poor and badly staged.The plot seemed to be a feeble rip off of A Damsel In Distress.Who thought that Edward Arnold was suitable casting as an English aristocrat?Jack Benny was very good in situation comedy but not really at physical comedy.The acrobat sequence is an embarrassment.Lamour is lacking any spark,maybe she was at her best in a sarong.The whole mess limps along to an ending that makes no sense at all.So as has been said elsewhere this makes "The Horn Blows at midnight"seem like a minor classic.

This is among the worst films ever made by Paramount. It's supposed to be a comedy/musical. But there are no laughs (not even a smile), and the music and the musical numbers are fourth rate. Viewers old enough to have enjoyed the Jack Benny shows on radio and television will find this 1939 movie a great disappointment.

There seems to have been a severe lack of intelligence throughout. The script is inept, Rochester is featured far beyond his talents, Dorothy Lamour and Betty Grable are wasted, and Edward Arnold and Monty Woolley were given embarrassing parts. The racial jabs at Rochester are extraordinarily offensive.

So, The Horn Blows at Midnight was not Jack Benny's worst film.

I found this movie enjoyable, with great performances from some great people. There is no pretense of high art, or even an attempt at it; but mostly, I believe, intended as a vehicle for the great radio star Jack Benny. Typical late-Depression fare: and very important

So don't expect too much, and you'll be pleased.