It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.
In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 600. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals.

This week’s musical:
Hold That Co-Ed (1938) – Musical #821

Studio:
20th Century Fox

Director:
George Marshall

Starring:
John Barrymore, George Murphy, Marjorie Weaver, Joan Davis, Jack Haley, George Barbier, Ruth Terry, Donald Meek, Johnny Downs, Paul Hurst, Guin “Big Boy” Williams, William Benedict, Frank Sully, Charles C. Wilson, Glenn Morris, Dick Winslow (uncredited), Doodles Weaver (uncredited)
Specialty Acts: The Brewster Twins (Barbara and Gloria Brewster)

Plot:
Former all-American football player Rusty Stevens (Murphy) gets his first job as a football coach at State College. Upon arriving, the school’s president (Meek) informs Rusty and the students that Governor Gabby Harrington (Barrymore) has just outlawed football, deeming it an unnecessary expense to the tax players. The college students show up to protest, and when Gov. Harrington’s senate opponent, Major Breckenridge (Barbier), criticizes his college stances, Gov. Harrington pours money into the State College football program. While the football players aren’t very skilled, their secret weapon is Lizzie Olson, who is unmatched at her football kicking.

Trivia:
• Final film of Olympic athlete Glenn Morris
• John Barrymore’s character is based on Huey Long

Highlights:
• George Murphy tap dancing
• John Barrymore – especially as he’s marching on the football field

Notable Songs:
• “Limpy Dimp” performed by George Murphy, Joan Davis and the chorus
• “Harrigan” performed by the chorus
• “Here Am I Doing It” performed by George Murphy

My review:
There’s a charm about a 20th Century Fox film, particularly from the 1930s to 1950s era. Perhaps it’s because they aren’t as readily available on DVD or aired on television as other films. It could be that this accessibility issue makes every 20th Century Fox film viewing so special.

And even when the films aren’t Grade A, they are still a good time (for the most part) which includes this week’s Musical Monday, HOLD THAT CO-ED (1938).

Rusty Stevens (George Murphy), former all-American football player, gets his first job out of college as a football coach at State College. Eager to make good, he’s disappointed that the college is dilapidated and viewed as a joke by neighboring schools. He’s even more disappointed when he learns on his first day of work that the governor, Gabby Harrington John (Barrymore) has just outlawed football, deeming it an unnecessary expense to the tax players. Rusty and the school’s students storm the Governor’s office, who quickly sees the potential that backing a college sport could help his Senate campaign. Instead of outlawing football, he embraces it and funs State College to have a state-of-the-art football program. The problem? Even with money, their team is no good. But student Lizzie Olson can kick the ball further than any teammate.

The movie begins as a collegiate comedy, with students marching in school sweaters and learning the novelty dance “The Limpy Dimp.” But then it turns into a political comedy as characters played by John Barrymore and George Barbier use college football in a senate political campaign.

Legendary actor, John Barrymore, was nearing the end of his illustrious career. Due to substance abuse and personal issues, Barrymore’s career was but a shadow of what it once was – going from Shakespeare plays to a collegiate comedy. However, Barrymore is still hilarious and does a wonderful job in this film. His character of Governor Harrington is supposed to be based on Huey “Kingfish” Long, the Governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and then a senator from 1932 to 1935.

There are great moments when Barrymore marches with a college band. I also loved when the students sang George M. Cohan’s “Harrigan” and Barrymore would say “That’s me.”

George Barbier’s role was much too small but it’s always a pleasure to see him. I also loved to see him prance before a band, but Barbier is always doing unexpected things in his films.

As for our leads, George Murphy is an actor I’ve always thought to be underrated, especially as a dancer. He has just two brief dance numbers, including a random novelty dance song called the “Limpy Dimp.” In another scene he jumps from the sidewalk into a car and out of a car, long before Bobby Van jumped down the street in SMALL TOWN GIRL (1953). While we are led to believe we will be following Murphy through the story, that is quickly thwarted as soon as Barrymore’s character is introduced. Not that that’s a complaint, but I would have enjoyed seeing more of Murphy.

While Marjorie Weaver plays Murphy’s love interest, she’s a weak leading lady with little screentime.

Joan Davis is the true leading lady in the film, though she doesn’t have the opportunity to show her full comedic potential in a brief role. However, she does get to play the fun role of playing the only female football player on the team, because she is the only person who can do it.

Joan Davis kicking a football

This may be surprising to read in a review from a musical lover, but this is one film I don’t think needed to be a musical. While it started off as really fun with the songs, the music felt a bit random. Even singer and dancers like Johnny Downs didn’t even get to show their talents.

Another downside of the film was the ending with a wind storm. I won’t spoil anything but it gets a little silly.

This movie was fun but should have been a straight comedy. Despite its flaws though, it has that 20th Century Fox charm.

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