Something to Sing About

1937
Approved
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

James Cagney and Evelyn Daw in Something to Sing About (1937)

A New York bandleader journeys to Hollywood when he is offered a contract with a studio, but he is determined to do things his way and not theirs.A New York bandleader journeys to Hollywood when he is offered a contract with a studio, but he is determined to do things his way and not theirs.A New York bandleader journeys to Hollywood when he is offered a contract with a studio, but he is determined to do things his way and not theirs.

Director
- Victor Schertzinger
Writers
- Victor Schertzinger
- Austin Parker
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

1.1K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Victor Schertzinger
Writers
- Victor Schertzinger
- Austin Parker
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 nomination total

Photos41

+ 33

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Known as "the picture that broke Grand National". Grand National Pictures, which produced and distributed it, was a "B" studio known mostly for low-budget westerns and action pictures. It signed James Cagney during one of his frequent disputes with Warner Bros. and saw this picture as its chance to compete with the major studios by doing a lavish musical with a major star. It poured more than $900,000 into this film--not much by MGM or 20th Century-Fox standards but a tremendous sum for a small studio like this. Unfortunately, the film was a major flop and the studio lost just about all the money put into it. Grand National, established in 1936, folded in 1939, having never recovered from the financial beating it took on this picture. Its remnants were purchased by RKO in 1940.

Goofs
Rita is in New York when she reads of Terry's supposed relationship with Steffie on the front page of the "Express" newspaper. Meanwhile in Hollywood, Terry learns of the false rumours in exactly the same way, from the exact front page of an identical "Express" newspaper. Props used the same newspaper for both coasts. Highly unlikely.

Quotes
Rita Wyatt: [laying down winning cards] You now owe me 129 million dollars.
Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney: A mere bagatelle.
Rita Wyatt: I'll settle for a box of candy.
Terrence 'Terry'; Rooney: You'll take chewing gum and like it.

Connections
Featured in Hooray for Hollywood (1982)

Soundtracks
Something to Sing About
(uncredited)
Written by Victor Schertzinger
Sung over the opening credits by Evelyn Daw
Sung by James Newill
Reprised by Evelyn Daw
Played as background music often

User reviews33

Review

Featured review

7/10

if you like 30's musicals, you'll like this one

This little-known film is surprisingly entertaining, with lots of pre-"Singin' in the Rain" pokes at Hollywood's star machine, good songs, and a few lively dance numbers, especially the one onboard ship. James Cagney is great as usual, and the supporting cast has some fine bits of their own, especially Gene Lockhart as arrogant but ineffectual studio head "B.O." Regan. William Frawley from "I Love Lucy" gets to show a different side as a tough and efficient publicist. Unusually, the film makes a small plea for treating minorities as full-fledged people (what a concept!), though how well it succeeds in that will be up to the individual viewer. The movie also proclaims that there's nothing wrong with women band leaders--an idea still unusual today. The production design will please 30's fans: the studio's offices are a small wonder of art deco intimidation, and even the regular movie theaters have signs with beautiful typography. Odd item to watch for: the shipboard cat boxing match--they wear gloves, so no one gets hurt, but some will find it cruel. But the film overall is a fine addition to musicals of the period.