Follow the Leader
A kooky waiter and sometimes vaudevillian promises to get his employer's daughter into a Broadway show. When he kidnaps the show's star, she gets her opportunity, as the understudy, to play the role and become a star herself.
Insights
Plot Summary
A shy, unassuming bookstore clerk inherits a fortune and decides to live life to the fullest, embarking on a wild adventure with a group of theatrical performers. He falls for a beautiful showgirl, but his newfound wealth and lifestyle lead to humorous complications and a battle for his affections.
Critical Reception
Follow the Leader was a modest musical comedy that enjoyed some popularity during its release, though it is largely remembered today as an early example of the genre adapting to sound film. While praised for its energetic musical numbers and some of the comedic performances, critics noted its somewhat predictable plot and thin characterizations. It offered escapism and lighthearted entertainment for audiences of the time.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its lively musical sequences and comedic energy.
- Criticized for a predictable storyline and underdeveloped characters.
- A charming, if unremarkable, early sound musical.
Google audience: Audience reception data for this early film is scarce, but contemporary reviews suggest it was viewed as a standard, enjoyable musical for its era, offering song and dance numbers that were appealing at the time.
Fun Fact
The film features a significant number of musical numbers, showcasing the emerging capabilities of sound technology in Hollywood musicals of the early 1930s.
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