''What's Cookin'?'' is a 1942 American

musical film Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serv ...

directed by Edward F. Cline and starring

The Andrews Sisters The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (1911–1967), soprano Maxene Anglyn Andrews (1916–1995), and mezzo ...

, Jane Frazee, Robert Paige and Gloria Jean. The film is based on the story ''Wake Up and Dream'' written by

Edgar Allan Woolf Edgar Allan Woolf (April 25, 1881 – December 9, 1943) was an American lyricist, playwright, and screenwriter. He is best known as the co-author of the script for the 1939 film ''The Wizard of Oz''. Early years and education Woolf was the son ...

Plot

Mrs. Murphy's Theatrical Boarding House is a place where young performers reside. A group of those young people try to escape after finding out they are unable to pay the rent. However they get caught by the landlady and fellow tenant Marvo the Great is forced to sell his clothes to pay the rent. They next set out to the radio network WECA to visit singer Anne Payne. Anne is a former boarding house member who now works at the radio station with the Andrews Sisters and Woody Herman and His Orchestra. When Marvo is later conversing with Anne at her apartment, her wealthy neighbour Sue Courtney drops in their conversation and wonders if she can join the group. Meanwhile, at the Courtney estate, Sue's uncle and aunt, J.P. and Agatha, meet with their advertising counselor Bob Riley. She complains that the radio station only plays classical songs. Sue offers to help them out by asking her new friends to make swing music for the radio station. They do so and Bob notices Anne, whom he immediately falls in love with. Sue meanwhile falls in love with young performer Tommy.

Cast

as Themselves * Jane Frazee as Anne Payne * Robert Paige as Bob Riley * Gloria Jean as Sue Courtney * Leo Carrillo as Marvo the Great * Billie Burke as Agatha Courtney * Charles Butterworth as J.P. Courtney * Grace McDonald as Angela *

Donald O'Connor Donald David Dixon Ronald O'Connor (August 28, 1925 – September 27, 2003) was an American dancer, singer and actor. He came to fame in a series of films in which he co-starred, in succession, with Gloria Jean, Peggy Ryan, and Francis the Talki ...

as Tommy * Peggy Ryan as Peggy *

Franklin Pangborn Franklin Pangborn (January 23, 1889 – July 20, 1958) was an American comedic character actor famous for playing small but memorable roles with comic flair. He appeared in many Preston Sturges movies as well as the W. C. Fields films '' Inter ...

as Professor Bistell *Susan Levine as Tag-a-long * The Jivin' Jacks and Jills as Themselves *

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roo ...

as himself * Charles Lane as K.D. Reynolds * Ray Walker as Happy

Production

The film was known as ''Wake Up and Dream''.

Soundtrack

* Golden Wedding **Written by Jean Gabriel-Marie **Special arrangement by Woody Herman **Played by

and His Orchestra *

Woodchopper's Ball "Woodchopper's Ball", also known as "At the Woodchopper's Ball" is a 1939 jazz composition by Joe Bishop and Woody Herman. The up-tempo blues tune in D-flat major was the Woody Herman Orchestra's biggest hit, as well as the most popular compositio ...

**Written by Joe Bishop **Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra *I'll Pray for You **Written by Arthur Altman and Kim Gannon **Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra **Sung by Jane Frazee, Gloria Jean, and The Andrews Sisters *What to Do? **Written by Sid Robin **Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra **Sung by The Andrews Sisters *You Can't Hold a Memory in Your Arms **Written by Hy Zaret and Arthur Altman **Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra **Sung by Jane Frazee *Blue Flame **Written by James Noble **Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra *Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark **Sung by Gloria Jean *If **Played by the studio orchestra **Sung by the studio vocal group *Love Laughs at Anything **Written by Gene de Paul, and Don Raye **Sung by Gloria Jean * Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile! **Music by Felix Powell **Lyrics by George Asaf **Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra **Sung by Jane Frazee, Gloria Jean, and The Andrews Sisters *Amen Spitural **Written by Vic Schoen, and Roger Segure **Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra **Sung by Jane Frazee, Gloria Jean, and The Andrews Sisters

Reception

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' noticed there is "plenty cookin' in this brisk, breezy Andrews Sisters vehicle". It also called the supporting cast "topheavy". The website Answers.com gave the film one star.Answers
What's Cookin? film

References

External links

* * {{Edward F. Cline 1942 films American black-and-white films 1942 musical films Universal Pictures films Films directed by Edward F. Cline American musical films Films with screenplays by Edgar Allan Woolf 1940s English-language films 1940s American films English-language musical films