Playing Around

1930
Passed
1h 6m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

William Bakewell, Chester Morris, and Alice White in Playing Around (1930)

Sheba has a dull boyfriend and seems destined for a dull marriage when she meets a rich playboy who has money to burn and places to go. She gets involved with the playboy and never seems to ... Read allSheba has a dull boyfriend and seems destined for a dull marriage when she meets a rich playboy who has money to burn and places to go. She gets involved with the playboy and never seems to notice that he might be shady and untrustworthy.Sheba has a dull boyfriend and seems destined for a dull marriage when she meets a rich playboy who has money to burn and places to go. She gets involved with the playboy and never seems to notice that he might be shady and untrustworthy.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

351

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos27

+ 21

Top cast22

Edit

Alice White

Sheba Miller

Chester Morris

Nickey Solomon

William Bakewell

Jack

Richard Carlyle

Pa Miller

Marion Byron

Maude

Maurice Black

Lionel Belmore

Morgan the Pirate

Shep Camp

Master of Ceremonies

Ann Brody

Mrs. Fennerbeck

Nellie V. Nichols

Mrs. Lippincott

Nicholas Bela

Undetermined Role
(uncredited)

Kernan Cripps

Police Sgt. Mulligan
(uncredited)

Geraldine Dvorak

Bus Passenger at Window
(uncredited)

George 'Gabby' Hayes

Railroad Ticket-Seller
(uncredited)

Robert Homans

Pirate's Den Waiter
(uncredited)

Brady Kline

Detective
(uncredited)

Frank McLure

Nightclub Patrol
(uncredited)

Doris McMahon

Specialty Dancer
(uncredited)

More like this

5.8

The Woman Racket

6.4

The Widow from Chicago

5.6

5.8

6.1

6.0

5.6

4.6

6.2

6.2

6.4

The Last of Mrs. Cheyney

7.5

Sudden Fear

Storyline

Edit

Did you know

Edit

Trivia
Filmed in 1929, and bearing a 1929 (MCMXXIX) copyright statement on the title card, but not released until January 1930.

Quotes
Jack: Gee, you look sweet, Sheba. Yuh gotta date?
Sheba Miller: Yes. I'm gonna see Al Jolson.
Jack: Yuh haven't got a date with *him*, have you?
Sheba Miller: Don't be an eggnog - I'm going to the movies with Maude.

Crazy credits
After the end title, there is a series of clips, accompanied by a reprise of "You Learn About Love Every Day." Needless to say, this was extremely unusual in that era.

Alternate versions
This movie was also released as a silent film, but no details are known.

Soundtracks
You're My Captain Kidd
(1929) (uncredited)
Written by Sam H. Stept and Bud Green
Performed by Carolynne Snowden and chorus at the nightclub

User reviews11

Review

Featured review

6/10

Nice to meet you socially

Soda jerk William Bakewell (Jack) works at a drugstore managed by Richard Carlyle (Pa) who has a daughter Alice White (Sheba). Alice and William are dating and the film starts in a swanky nightclub where poor William can't afford anything. Alice enters a 'best legs' competition on stage and is noticed by popular customer Chester Morris (Nickey). Oh dear, this doesn't bode well for poor William. Chester pursues Alice and we gradually realize that Chester isn't such a nice guy.

The musical numbers are entertaining in this film - there are three - and this adds to the film's enjoyment. The cast are ok, if slightly wooden, and you will have to sit through a couple of scenes with some irritating dialogue between 2 nosey neighbours. Those scenes could have been cut. The story is easy to follow, a little nonsensical at times, but it's a fun film to watch. Chester Morris reminds me of Ray Liotta.