Billboard Girl
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''Billboard Girl'' is a 1932 Educational-Mack Sennett Featurette (No. S2709) starring
Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, comedian, entertainer and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwi ...
and directed by Leslie Pearce. This was the fourth of the six short films Crosby made for
Mack Sennett Mack Sennett (born Michael Sinnott; January 17, 1880 – November 5, 1960) was a Canadian-American producer, director, actor, and studio head who was known as the "King of Comedy" during his career. Born in Danville, Quebec, he started acting i ...
and which helped launch his career as a solo performer.


Background

Crosby produced six short films for Mack Sennett, of which four were shot over the course of three months in 1931 and the other two in 1932. The shorts were: *
I Surrender Dear "I Surrender Dear" (sometimes written as "I Surrender, Dear") is a song composed by Harry Barris with lyrics by Gordon Clifford (lyricist), Gordon Clifford, first performed by Gus Arnheim, Gus Arnheim and His Cocoanut Grove Orchestra with Bing C ...
(released September 1931) * One More Chance (released November 1931) * Dream House (released January 1932) *Billboard Girl (released March 1932) * Sing, Bing, Sing (released March 1933) * Blue of the Night (released January 1933)


Cast

*Bing – Bing Crosby *Mary Malone – Marjorie “Babe” Kane *Jerry – Dick Stewart *Freddie – Jimmy Eagles *Whitney – Lincoln Stedman *Mr. Malone –
George Pearce Sir George Foster Pearce KCVO (14 January 1870 – 24 June 1952) was an Australian politician who served as a Senator for Western Australia from 1901 to 1938. He began his career in the Labor Party but later joined the National Labor Party, ...


Plot

Bing and his friend Jerry are seen admiring the picture of a college girl, Mary Malone, on a billboard. Bing has, without meeting her, fallen in love with the picture of the billboard girl and has written several letters to her. A reply he has received asks when he is coming to Benson College. Unbeknown to Bing, his letters to Mary have been intercepted by her brother Freddie who, for a joke, has replied favourably in Mary's name. Bing and Jerry set off for Benson College in a car singing 'We're on Our Way to Bensonhurst' (a parody to the tune of 'Pop Goes the Weasel'). On arrival Bing sees Mary and thinking she is waiting for him, kisses her just as her boyfriend, Whitney, arrives on the scene and indignantly knocks down Bing. Later Bing tries to telephone Mary while beneath his window a group of Freddie's friends sing 'My Estelle'. Freddie takes the call and pretending to be Mary agrees to meet Bing at the arbour in the garden. That night Freddie dresses in his sister's clothes and when it is dark meets Bing at the arbour where Freddie's friends are concealed behind the hedge to enjoy the joke. Whitney sees Bing with Freddie but thinks it is Mary. Whitney is very angry but Freddie knocks him unconscious with a croquet mallet. Freddie sits on a garden swing while Bing sings 'Were You Sincere' and the real Mary hears him. When Freddie sees Whitney recovering, he runs off leaving Mary to take his place while Bing sings 'For You'. There is a happy ending for all except Whitney when Mary transfers her affections to Bing. 'For You' is heard again sung by Bing off-screen when Whitney and Mary's father stand outside her bedroom looking at the marriage certificate pinned to the door.


Reception

The
Film Daily ''The Film Daily'' was a daily publication that existed from 1918 to 1970 in the United States. It was the first daily newspaper published solely for the film industry. It covered the latest trade news, film reviews, financial updates, informati ...
commented, inter alia: “…The comedy is fair, but the singer’s crooning puts it over.”


Soundtrack

* "Were You Sincere?" ( Vincent Rose / Jack Meskill) * " Pop Goes the Weasel" (parody) * " For You” * “My Estelle” ( Gustave Kerker / Hugh Morton)


References


External links

*{{IMDb title, 0022687, Billboard Girl (1932) 1932 films American black-and-white films Educational Pictures short films American musical comedy films 1932 musical comedy films Films directed by Leslie Pearce 1930s American films American musical short films