The Singing Kid

1936 film by William Keighley

April 11, 1936 (1936-04-11)

Running time

85 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

The Singing Kid is a 1936 American musical romance film directed by William Keighley and written by Warren Duff and Pat C. Flick. Starring Al Jolson, Sybil Jason, Beverly Roberts, Edward Everett Horton, Lyle Talbot and Allen Jenkins, it was released by Warner Bros. on April 11, 1936.^[1]^[2]

Plot

Al Jackson (Jolson) has just moved into a magnificent penthouse apartment and would seem to have it all; fame, fortune, and a loyal retinue.

But his accountant has embezzled his fortune, and this brings on a nervous breakdown (as well as the loss of his voice). His doctor orders him to take a long vacation in the country and forget all about show business, which, for Jackson, is almost impossible.

But a meeting with pretty Ruth Haines (Roberts) and her 10-year-old niece (Jason) proves therapeutic. Haines is an aspiring playwright, and Jackson decides to make his return to Broadway using her play. But he neglects to tell Haines of the "surprise", and she assumes he is trying to steal her play.

The lover's quarrel is patched up at opening night, and the play is a rousing success.

There are several elaborate musical numbers, the best remembered being "I Love To Sing-a" and "You're The Cure For What Ails Me".

Cast

Al Jolson as Al Jackson
Sybil Jason as Sybil Haines
Beverly Roberts as Ruth Haines
Edward Everett Horton as Davenport Rogers
Lyle Talbot as Robert 'Bob' Carey
Allen Jenkins as Joe Eddy
Claire Dodd as Dana Lawrence
Frank Mitchell as Dope
Wini Shaw as Blackface Singer
Joe King as Dr. May
William B. Davidson as Barney Hammond
Cab Calloway as Cotton Club Band Leader
Cab Calloway and His Cotton Club Orchestra as Cotton Club Orchestra
Yacht Club Boys as Singing Quartette

References

^ "The Singing Kid (1936) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
^ F.S.N. (1936-04-04). "Movie Review - The Singing Kid - At the Strand". NYTimes.com. Retrieved 2015-08-17.