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Bob Hope, W.C. Fields, Dorothy Lamour. Bob Hope makes his screen debut featuring his rendition of Thanks for the Memories in the musical comedy The Big Broadcast of 1938 (91 min.), and George Burns and Gracie Allen join Bob in an all-star musical blast featuring Betty Grable, Robert Cummings and Jackie Coogan in College Swing (86 min.). 1938/b&w/NR/fullscreen.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
This DVD contains two typically wild 1930's Paramount comedies showcasing the studios best contract comedians -- W.C. Fields, Burns and Allen, Martha Raye, and, of course, Bob Hope. "Big Broadcast of 1938" is his film debut, and when he sings "Thanks for the Memories" with Shirley Ross, you have to remind yourself this is the first time that song was ever performed! Unfortunately, some of the specialty acts in this film really drag things down and make you wonder who could ever have considered this sort of thing entertainment. But W. C. Fields and Martha Raye provide lots of laughs when they're on screen, so all in all, it's a nice presentation. "College Swing" is more of a Gracie Allen vehicle, with Bob in only a few scenes, though he does a nice duet with Martha Raye at one point. It's all very silly, but the character actors and comedians make it enjoyable. Transfer is superb on both films. There's a trailer for College Swing, but not for Broadsast -- maybe it's lost. Now, if Universal would release some of Jack Benny's films or Bing Crosby's early work on DVD -- I'd really be happy!
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
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This is a terrific buy with two classic comedies on one CD. If you love Burns and Allen like I do, you'll go for 'College Swing'. It is a reminder of why Martha Raye was so popular in that era--she's a bombshell of singing, dancing, and comedic talent. They made her up ugly, plus you don't get to see much of her famous legs. In the song, "How'd You Like to Love Me", there's a large bandage visible on the front of one of her legs, I've always wondered what happened--possibly walking through the glass at the end of the scene? For those of us who came along at the end of Hope's career, this is an interesting view into why he was so appealing in his younger years. Betty Grable does some fantastic dancing, Ben Blue as Professor Volt can dance like nobody's business, and the whole movie is an insight into the escapism so popular during the Depression. 'Big Broadcast' is an okay movie, highly incredible. How is an ocean liner going to go 100 miles per hour because of propellors on the deck? Anyway, the ship is Art Deco heaven, giving an excuse for the set designers to go wild. Hope's theme song came out in this movie, women had plucked eyebrows and outrageous hats, and Martha Raye is back showing her best. All in all, buy this set, it's great for spirit-lifting on a dreary day!
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
This double feature contains two of Bob Hope's early movies. He was not the star in either film but a featured role in both. Both are typical musical revues of the early age of Hollywood musicals, little story songs to service the performers and not the story. This is very similar to Broadway musicals of the 20's and 30' but with a little more vaudeville in them.
College Swing finds Gracie Allen is the last of her line of nitwit women. If she cannot pass her college exam, the college reverts from her family to the city. Bob is a con artist who figures out how to make her pass. In return she is to put him in charge of the college. George Burns and Edward Everett Horton are the head of the board of trustees and are confirmed bachelors. But it's not George that Gracie winds up with. This is all set to swing music.
The Big Broadcast of 1938 would be totally forgotten if it did not introduce Bob Hope's theme song Thanks for the Memory. Bob is a radio host who has a penchant for gambling and ex-wives. He is to host a radio broadcast aboard a new radio wave powered ship that is racing the ship that holds the current crossing record. W.C. Fields is the named star of the film as the twin brother of the owner of the new ship who has a bad luck curse. The ship makes a detour to rescue the passengers of a sinking boat which includes Fields' like wise cursed daughter, Martha Raye. Also on board is Bob's three ex-wives and his current flame, Dorothy Lamour - yes, they didn't meet on the road. The film has plenty of irrelevant splashy musical numbers. But it is Bob and Shirley Ross' rendition of Thanks for the Memories that is the high moment in the film.
The best thing about these two films is Martha Raye. She shines in both films and shows her talents. Too bad Hollywood never found a place for her. But these two films and her great performance in Chaplin's Monsieur Verdoux make a great tribute to her.
This DVD is a must have if you are one of the following:
*A Bob Hope fan
*A Martha Raye fan
*Someone with an interest in early Hollywood musicals
DVD EXTRAS: None
College Swing finds Gracie Allen is the last of her line of nitwit women. If she cannot pass her college exam, the college reverts from her family to the city. Bob is a con artist who figures out how to make her pass. In return she is to put him in charge of the college. George Burns and Edward Everett Horton are the head of the board of trustees and are confirmed bachelors. But it's not George that Gracie winds up with. This is all set to swing music.
The Big Broadcast of 1938 would be totally forgotten if it did not introduce Bob Hope's theme song Thanks for the Memory. Bob is a radio host who has a penchant for gambling and ex-wives. He is to host a radio broadcast aboard a new radio wave powered ship that is racing the ship that holds the current crossing record. W.C. Fields is the named star of the film as the twin brother of the owner of the new ship who has a bad luck curse. The ship makes a detour to rescue the passengers of a sinking boat which includes Fields' like wise cursed daughter, Martha Raye. Also on board is Bob's three ex-wives and his current flame, Dorothy Lamour - yes, they didn't meet on the road. The film has plenty of irrelevant splashy musical numbers. But it is Bob and Shirley Ross' rendition of Thanks for the Memories that is the high moment in the film.
The best thing about these two films is Martha Raye. She shines in both films and shows her talents. Too bad Hollywood never found a place for her. But these two films and her great performance in Chaplin's Monsieur Verdoux make a great tribute to her.
This DVD is a must have if you are one of the following:
*A Bob Hope fan
*A Martha Raye fan
*Someone with an interest in early Hollywood musicals
DVD EXTRAS: None
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Big Broadcast of 1938 / College Swing 2-film DVD set Review
There's no doubt that the NY film critic got it right when this film came to theaters in 1938/39, as he stated that the Big Broadcast of 1938 was stolen by the musical duet of Bob... Read more
Published on March 23, 2009 by Robert T. Lukomski
College Swing/The Big Broadcast Of 1938
What a bargain! Two early Bob Hope features for less than the price of one. Timeless comedy with great music. Read more
Published on January 27, 2009 by Scott Packard
Lamour's Big Help To Hope
When The Big Broadcast of 1938 was made Dorthy Lamour was actually a bigger star than Bob Hope...She recommended him for the part and insisted that he be the one to sing Thanks For... Read more
Published on February 16, 2008 by John W. Schlatter
Pure Talent
These are by far two of the great classics. It takes you back to a time when comedy and dance were really something special this is a not to miss and getting two for the price of... Read more
Published on July 20, 2007 by Dawn Imbimbo
Nostalgia
Both of these movies have very enjoyable moments. Neither is strong on plot. College Swing has some fun Burns and Allen. Read more
Published on June 26, 2007 by BritDramaFan
Good fun
These films, while packaged as Bob Hope vehicles, are typical all star musical comedy programmers from Paramount, populated by numerous performers of which Hope is but one. Read more
Published on June 18, 2007 by Douglas M
"Well, you go ahead and sing...I'll stand over here so they won't...
The Big Broadcast of 1938 was the final entry in the Big Broadcast film series. Although Bob Hope only got fifth billing in the opening credits (W.C. Read more
Published on September 16, 2006 by H. Bala
thanks for a plethora of great entertainers in a pair of minor...
a fun double feature. the latter is most notable for the work of george burns & gracie allen, doing what they did so well; the former, starring w. c. Read more
Published on August 3, 2006 by Jonathan Lapin
Fantastic disc
For those interested in the quality of the sound and picture and if it is an original, unaltered release rest assured this one is. Read more
Published on December 10, 2005 by Looking for Quality
An all time Classic for Posterity
The Big Broadcast of 1938 is a blast! Bob Hope's first film in which he plays a cruise ships' entertainment director with W.C. Fields as a ship's Captain. Read more
Published on February 17, 2004 by Angela Kuhlman
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