Movie spotlight
Magic on Broadway
Part of Paramount/Fleischer Novelty-Cartoon shorts which featured animation in part of it and live-action in th other half. The cartoon half of this entry has a slot-machine player cheating the machines in a penny-arcade by tying a string to the coin and pulling it out again. The machines get rather animated about being cheated and the petty-gambler receives some rough treatment. The second half is about four minutes of music from Jay Freeman and his band, featuring Johnny Russell as the vocalist.
Insights
Plot Summary
A struggling playwright, desperate for a hit, decides to steal a script from a young woman who has just died. He plans to pass it off as his own, but complications arise when the deceased woman's ghost tries to prevent him from succeeding. The playwright finds himself in a race against time and the supernatural to achieve his theatrical dreams.
Critical Reception
Magic on Broadway received a generally lukewarm reception upon its release. Critics noted its premise as potentially interesting but felt the execution was somewhat uneven. Audiences at the time were likely drawn to the romantic comedy elements and the 'ghostly' intrigue, though it was not a major box office success.
What Reviewers Say
The film offers a lighthearted, if somewhat predictable, romantic comedy with a supernatural twist.
Performances are serviceable, but the plot relies heavily on a familiar trope.
The pacing and dialogue contribute to a generally unremarkable viewing experience.
Google audience: Audience reception data is not readily available for this 1937 film. However, films of this genre and era typically appealed to those seeking light entertainment and romantic escapism.
Fun Fact
The film was based on the play 'Love and Let Live' by Alexander Kirkland.
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