"The Star Maker" is a film that will catchy you by surprise. At first, you'll like it and it seems enjoyable...but then the second portion hits and the going gets tough! How much you agree with this will certainly depend on your tolerance for watching a children's' talent show.
When the film begins, Larry (Bing Crosby) is a dreamer with huge plans of making it big on stage. Despite his being a fat-head, Mary (Louise Campbell) believes in him and marries him. But they are headed for tough times as Larry's musical career doesn't take off and they are living hand to mouth. However, his career explodes when he begins performing with a group of talented kids....so what's next?
I really enjoyed the first group of child performers--their tap dancing routine was lovely. But the rest of the acts were a real mixed bag...and most of the bag was awful! I have little patience for bad child actors...and the film really pushed this to the limit. Fortunately, Linda Ware was talented...although I didn't particularly love her operatic stylings...but at least they weren't painful!! The only bright spots were Ned Sparks' little digs about how he hated kids! Those were pretty funny.
Overall, a real mixed bag and it's sad that the movie didn't give us more Ned Sparks and more of Crosby's lovely crooning. On balance, it's a film for really devoted fans of Crosby as well as folks who LIKE child pageants!
By the way, be sure to prepare yourself for the incredibly racist song "The Darktown Strutter's Ball"...sung about midway through the picture.
