Melody in May

Last updated
Melody in May
Directed by Ben Holmes
Written by Stanley Rauh (story)
Produced by Bert Gilroy (associate producer)
Lee S. Marcus (producer)
StarringSee below
Cinematography Nicholas Musuraca
Edited by Edward Mann
Release date
  • 1936 (1936)
Running time
20 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Melody in May is a 1936 American short film starring singer Ruth Etting directed by Ben Holmes.

Contents

Plot

The movie opens with Ruth Etting (as herself) recording "St. Louis Blues", after which she declares that she is taking a month off, and going to where no-one can find her. This turns out to be Middleton, which is so small it has no hotel. Ruth rents a room over the local ice-cream parlor, where high-school student Tommy Bradshaw works for his mother, who owns the store and rooming house.

Over her ice cream, Ruth overhears Tommy's fellow students remarking on his social awkwardness. Tonight is the school dance, which Tommy won't attend, because he can't dance, and because Mary, the only girl he is interested in, is going with Chuck, the school heartthrob. However, Chuck is expected to be out of town that night, so as Mary leaves, she asks Tommy to take her, and he ecstatically agrees.

That evening, as Tommy is stepping out to get Mary, she pulls up in a car being driven by Chuck, who is staying after all, and Mary gives Tommy her regrets. Tommy offers his tickets to Chuck, who tears them up. Witnessing this exchange, Ruth asks Tommy to take her to the dance instead.

At the dance, everyone remarks on Tommy's choice of a much older date. To rescue the situation, Ruth sings "It Had to Be You", accompanied by the excellent live band (which happens to be playing there for reasons not explained). At that point, everyone realizes who Ruth is, and Tommy is suddenly besieged by boys wanting to dance with Ruth, and by girls wanting him to come to upcoming events.

After the dance, Mary asks Tommy to take her home. Chuck objects, and when he sets up to clean Tommy's clock, Tommy gets in a sucker punch that lays his opponent out cold. Ruth lends Tommy her car to take Mary home. Mary comments on how events have conspired to make Tommy show his "new ego".

Cast

Soundtrack


Related Research Articles

<i>Love Me or Leave Me</i> (film) 1955 film by Charles Vidor

Love Me or Leave Me is a 1955 American romantic musical drama film starring Doris Day, with James Cagney and Cameron Mitchell in support. Also a biopic, the MGM production recounts the life of Ruth Etting, a singer who rose from dancer to movie star. Nominated for six Academy Awards, the picture was directed by Charles Vidor, and written by Daniel Fuchs and Isobel Lennart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruth Etting</span> American singer and actress (1896–1978)

Ruth Etting was an American singer and actress of the 1920s and 1930s, who had over 60 hit recordings and worked in stage, radio, and film. Known as "America's sweetheart of song", her signature tunes were "Shine On, Harvest Moon", "Ten Cents a Dance" and "Love Me or Leave Me".

<i>Hammer House of Horror</i> 1980 British horror television series

Hammer House of Horror is a British horror anthology television series produced in Britain in 1980. Created by Hammer Films in association with Cinema Arts International and ITC Entertainment, it consists of 13 hour-long episodes, originally broadcast on ITV.

"The Lip Reader" is the 70th episode of the sitcom Seinfeld. It is the sixth episode of the fifth season, and first aired on October 28, 1993. In this episode, George gets Jerry's deaf girlfriend to use her lip reading talent to eavesdrop on his own ex-girlfriend and find out the reason why she dumped him. The title character was played by Marlee Matlin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Bass</span> Fictional character

Charles Bartholomew Bass is a fictional character in the novel and television series Gossip Girl. In the TV series, he is portrayed by British actor Ed Westwick. Although he is a secondary antagonist in the original book series, the TV series elevates him to an antiheroic main character, and the male lead of the show, where he is noted for his financial ambition, hedonism and personal style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Musical short</span> Short films, often before the main feature

The musical short can be traced back to the earliest days of sound films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Wing (song)</span> 1907 Song by F.A Mills and Thurland Chattaway

"Red Wing" is a popular song written in 1907 with music by F.A Mills and lyrics by Thurland Chattaway. Mills adapted the music of the verse from Robert Schumann's piano composition "The Happy Farmer, Returning From Work" from his 1848 Album for the Young, Opus 68. The song tells of a young Indian girl's loss of her sweetheart who has died in battle.

<i>The Best Little Girl in the World</i> American TV series or program

The Best Little Girl in the World is a 1981 television film directed by Sam O'Steen and executive produced by Aaron Spelling. The film is based upon the 1979 novel of the same name written by Steven Levenkron.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Versus the Nemesis</span> 10th episode of the 1st season of Chuck

"Chuck Versus the Nemesis" is the tenth episode of Chuck's first season. It aired on November 26, 2007. Chuck is forced to confront his former college roommate and the man who ruined his life when Bryce Larkin is discovered alive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck Versus the Crown Vic</span> 11th episode of the 1st season of Chuck

"Chuck Versus the Crown Vic" is the 11th episode of the first season of Chuck, airing on December 3, 2007. Chuck must deal with the aftermath of Bryce Larkin's departure as he goes undercover with Sarah to investigate a billionaire philanthropist. Meanwhile, Morgan meets Anna's parents.

<i>Hoosier Schoolboy</i> 1937 film by William Nigh

Hoosier Schoolboy is a 1937 American drama film directed by William Nigh and starring Mickey Rooney, Anne Nagel and Frank Shields.

Bosko's Parlor Pranks is a 1934 Happy Harmonies cartoon produced by Hugh Harman and Rudolph Ising for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring their character Bosko. It is the first Bosko cartoon produced in color, and the first made at MGM following the Harman-Ising studio ending its deal to produce Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies for Warner Bros. and Leon Schlesinger. Warner Bros. would later own Happy Harmonies and the MGM cartoon studio through its Turner Entertainment Co. banner.

<i>Sideways Stories from Wayside School</i> 1978 childrens novel by Louis Sachar

Sideways Stories from Wayside School is a 1978 children's short story cycle novel by American author Louis Sachar, and the first book in the Wayside School series.

"Father and the Bride" is the 12th episode of season 5 on the show, Gossip Girl. The episode was directed by Amy Heckerling and written by Peter Elkoff. It was aired on January 23, 2012 on the CW. Similar to previous names in the TV series, the title of the episode references a work on literature. The title reference is from the 1991 film, Father of the Bride starring Steve Martin.

<i>Burying the Ex</i> 2014 film by Joe Dante

Burying the Ex is a 2014 American zombie comedy film directed by Joe Dante and written by Alan Trezza, starring Anton Yelchin, Ashley Greene, Alexandra Daddario and Oliver Cooper. It screened out of competition at the 71st Venice International Film Festival, and was released on June 19, 2015, by Image Entertainment.

"White Out" is the second episode of the fourth season of the American fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, which aired on October 5, 2014.

Soda Poppa is a 1931 short animated film by Columbia Pictures. It is one of many short films starring Krazy Kat.

Ice Cream is a 1993 American surrealist comedy short film written, directed, produced, and edited by Louis C.K. The film stars Laura Kightlinger, Craig Anton, Rick Shapiro, Sheldon Wicowitz, Jim Labrioza, and Mike Ivy. Paul Koestner, who would later work as director of photography on Louie, provided cinematography.