Movie spotlight
Five Times Five
Cécile, Annette, Yvonne, Émilie and Marie, the Dionne Quintuplets, turn five years old and have a private birthday party in their garden. Other than the five little French-Canadian princesses-of-the-world, the attendees at the party for the sheltered sisters are their doctor-and-mentor Roy Dafoe; a priest and two nurses; radio's "Town Crier" Alexander Woollcott; and RKO-Newsreel cameraman Harry Smith.
Insights
Plot Summary
A short film featuring three distinct segments. The first segment involves a struggling vaudeville performer trying to impress a tough club owner. The second segment focuses on a shy young man who must overcome his nervousness to ask a woman out. The final segment depicts a series of comic mishaps during a date.
Critical Reception
As a short film from 1939, critical reception is difficult to pinpoint with modern metrics. However, it was likely viewed as a typical, lighthearted B-movie short designed for broad audience appeal and to fill out a double feature program.
What Reviewers Say
Offers a glimpse into the comedic stylings of early Hollywood shorts.
Features earnest performances despite the simple narrative structure.
Provides light entertainment suitable for a brief cinematic interlude.
Google audience: Audience reactions from 1939 are not available. As a historical short, it likely served its purpose as a quick diversion for theater patrons.
Fun Fact
This short film was one of many produced by RKO Radio Pictures during the era, often released as part of a larger package of shorts for cinema programming.
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