STAND UP AND CHEER

US, 1934, 80 minutes, Black and white.
Warner Baxter, Madge Evans, Nigel Bruce, Stepin Fetchit, Frank Melton, Lila Lee, Ralph Morgan, James Dunn, Shirley Temple, John Boles, George K. Arthur.
Directed by Hamilton McFadden?.

Stand Up and Cheer has to be seen to be believed. It is an optimistic film about the Depression. It indicates something of the mentality of authorities who wanted to improve popular morale - although indicating that there were selfish money interests not interested in ending the financial crisis.

The film is small-budget, though lavishly advertised, 20th Century Fox morale-boosting. It stars Oscar winner (In Old Arizona) Warner Baxter as an impresario, so skilful on Broadway and unearthing talent, that he is appointed by the President of the United States as Minister for Amusement. The film shows him setting up his ministry and finding talent so that the spirits of America could be cheered. Some politicians and some business interests try to undermine his work.

There is not much attempt at characterisation. Warner Baxter is earnest, Madge Evans as his Secretary for Children's Entertainment is naturally in love with him. There are a number of musical items - especially a long collage of people in ordinary occupations (both white and black) singing a 'Let's Smile' medley.

There are some routine musical numbers included, including work by John Boles. James Dunn does a song-and-dance routine (with rather largish chorus girls) for 'Baby Takes a Bow' - and Shirley Temple appears in one of her earliest roles (and influential in gaining her better roles) with 'Daddy Take a Bow'.

There are also some comic routines of groups popular at the time. The film was based on a homespun optimistic idea by Will Rogers. It ends with the end of the Depression being triumphantly announced and everybody happy.