Wake Up And Live

First rate Fox musical comedy
"Wake up and Live", released in 1937, is maybe the best example of the Twentieth Century Fox musical of the late 30s. Take an amusing screenplay with genuine satire, in this case on radio and based on the publicity seeking feud of journalist Walter Winchell and band leader Ben Bernie, fill it with comedians such as Patsy Kelly and Ned Sparks, specialty acts like the Condos Brothers with their stunning tap routine and Joan Davis with her hilarious dance, and add a delightful leading lady, the gorgeous Alice Faye. The cover art for this DVD captures perfectly the fun in store.

The film was a smash hit in 1937, noted for its art deco sets and its sheer entertainment. Faye fans will be disappointed that her part is not bigger but she pairs beautifully with Jack Haley and her overwhelming personal charm dominates every scene in which she appears. She was a star rapidly moving to the top.

The songs are great too. Haley is dubbed by the smooth vocals of Buddy Clark and...

Most enjoyable Fox musical
I was greatly surprised at the enjoyment I got out of this film. It is a delight and Alice Faye and Jack Haley are excellent in it. The quality of this Fox Archive dvd is very good. Beware, a lot of the Fox catelogue is very poor. Just try and watch WAIT TILL THE SUNSHINES,NELLIE and you will see what I mean. Their quality control is rubbish.
But this is a gem. Buy and enjoy.

So happy to see that FOX is finally listening to it's customers!
I'm a very big fan of Alice Faye so I bought this DVD solely based on that. I've known the songs from this film for years because they have been available on various CDs and records for a long time. Very few of her films of the 1930s are available on DVD or VHS.
As part of the Fox Cinemas Archives series, the DVD is strictly bare bones: no chapters, no trailer, no commentaries, no extras of any kind - just the movie.

I want to mention that the film really belongs to fifth billed Jack Haley (although two non actors have the lead parts - bandleader Ben Bernie and newspaper columnist Walter Winchell). Jack plays a former singing vaudevillian who wants to transition to the radio but has "mike-fright" and freezes before a microphone. Don't expect the familiar "Tin Man from Oz" singing voice (his real voice) to come out of Jack -for this film, his voice was dubbed by some crooner. Haley does a good job lip-syncing but still, it's not the voice you expect to hear...

Click to Editorial Reviews