Campus Rhythm (1943)

You never know what to expect from Monogram films. Some of their low budget movies are now considered sleeper classics, films at the time made simply to make a quick buck that somehow got noticed as a surprising work of art. Others are entertaining but forgettable, and in the case of this musical, it's instantly forgettable and often annoying. The plotline concerns a radio singer (Gale Storm) who wants to go from her latest gig to college so she can have a real life, but signed against her will to a new contract by uncle Douglas Leavitt. Taking the name of the radio station's secretary Marie Blake, she heads to college where she tries to blend in with the other co-eds, but creates a stir by performing in a local talent show where her voice is instantly recognized over the station. Thanks to a rival co-ed (Claudia Drake), Storm's identity is exposed because of Drake's boyfriend's (Robert Lowery) attraction to her, although Storm seems to be more enamored of the college newspaper editor (Johnny Downs) who is more serious about a future outside of college than the others around him.This has the subplot of the annoying Johnny Duncan often breaking into song with several various voices: one a Gracie Allen squeak, the other a Lionel Stander rasp. His novelty number is hideously wretched, although there's a funny moment when his girlfriend GeGe Pearson tries to rehearse her song for the college talent show and ends up with laryngitis, ultimately forcing the reluctant Storm to go on for her. I will give this film credit for one aspect however concerning the lives of the young students jazzing it up in the war years. In spite of what was going on around the world, their zest for life was unlimited and their music and dancing inspired the development of rock and roll a decade later and continues to inspire musicians today. So those of younger generations can look back and see how their grandparents (or great grandparents) lived when they were in their teens and realize that nothing much has changed but the date and the advancement of technology.

Gale Storm who was Monogram's musical star in the Forties stars for them in Campus Rhythm about a female vocalist who has her own radio program for Crunchy Wunchy Flakes. Gale has a longing to go to college, something like Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana who wanted to have a normal high school experience. What she does is exchange identities with another girl and enrolls.Where she's being vigorously courted by Robert Lowery who leads a college swing band and is the big man on campus and also by Johnny Downs who runs the student newspaper. Between Gale's romantic life and the desire of Crunchy Wunchy cereal to get back their Crunchy Wunchy Girl you've got the sum and substance of Campus Rhythm.Nothing terribly special about Campus Rhythm. Those who remember and watched The Gale Storm Show of the Fifties might be interested in the film.

Lively, attractive cast lift this ultra-cheapo to pretty good entertainment. Professional songbird Dorothy (Storm) tires of her radio program, taking off to college to enjoy the social life, instead. There she meets an engaging cast of characters, including the slightly befuddled Scoop (Downs), rubber-face Babs (Pearson), handsome Buzz (Lowery), and what-voice-comes-next Harold (Candido). While waiting in the wings is the catty Cynthia (Drake). Together, they're a sprightly mix.I'd forgotten what an engaging performer Gale Storm is, so it was nostalgic to renew the acquaintance. And where did novelty act Candido come from. His voice range is truly astonishing. No, there's nothing special about this Monogram production. Looks like they spent about 50-bucks on the sets, while the few exteriors appear to have been shot on studio grounds. Still, I would say they got more than their money's worth.

Shown on Turner Classic Movies. So half the cast is thirty, playing college students, and the rest of the cast wasn't much younger. There are more musical numbers here than there is plot.... the typical college campus antics. A whole lot of singing in this shortie. Gale Storm is Joan Abbott, who is sick of her job, and for SOME reason, has to change her name and go back to college. Not quite sure why she needed to change her name... were people not allowed to quit their job in the 1940's ? They send "uncle willie" to track her down and bring her back, and we watch HIM while he watches HER exercise in the gymnasium... a little creepy. Then there's the voice gag, where Candy Candido's voice (that's a guy, not a chick) keeps going high and low, even multiple times in the same sentence. Might have been fun the first time, but the repetition gets annoying, especially when he signs "Me, Myself, and I".Directed by Arthur Dreifuss, who also directed Riot on the Sunset Strip, which is SO much more interesting, and is based on actual events in Los Angeles. Watch that one instead.