Movie-Mania (1937)

This short stars Dave Apollon--a Russian-born Vaudeville performer who you would think was a famous actor and director if you believed the film. However, despite his playing the role of a know-it-all and temperamental director, he only made a very few films in his brief film career.In the film, he plays the mandolin, sings, dances and even appears in a brief scene as an usher in the movie theater,...as well as the director of this film. It is obvious that he was a pretty talented guy and he seems very self-confident and brash as well--and in many ways a lot like Eddie Cantor. However, unfortunately, Mr. Apollon was far from handsome and I am sure that despite his talents, this must have been why he never succeeded in films.The short itself is chock full of music, music and more music. If you love 1930s-style production numbers (one involving gypsies, another Latin-American dancers and another a Broadway-like review), then you'll love the film. But despite starting off with a plot, this is soon forgotten and the film has very little to recommend it other than the dancing and music. An interesting curio and that's about all.

I saw this odd little two-reel Vitaphone short from the late 30s on Turner Classic Movies last night and thought it was quite interesting. It's basically a bunch of musical numbers connected by Dave Apollon and his orchestra.The opening gypsy sequence had Mr. Apollon doing a virtuoso performance on the mandolin, along with some serious tap dancing by others. It was followed by a so-so Mexican number. There was another sequence with a tap-dancing midget woman who was very good, if somewhat unusual, followed by a final dance sequence with a woman who looked ravishing in a shiny dress. The musical numbers were quite elaborate for a Vitaphone short. Movie Mania isn't exactly Singing in the Rain in terms of quality and budget, but a nice little film that classic-movie buffs would probably enjoy watching.

Competent musicians, slightly below average vaudeville comedy, dancing is barely mediocre except for the male tap dancer who is fun to watch for the first minute, but then you can't wait for him to be done.It's good to hear a steel guitar used as prominently as it is in this short.Appolon's mandolin playing is pretty good and worth watching.The characters around Appolon could just as well have been cardboard cutouts, especially the band which has no life whatsoever.Appolon's native Russian accent is so cheesy, you almost think he's doing some kind of schtick rather than actually having an accent.Bottom line: If it's on and nothing else is, give it 20 minutes of your time.

Just saw this on TCM and was very impressed. Apollon was multi talented. He played the mandolin flawlessly. I am a longtime bluegrass fan and don't think I've every heard anybody play that fast without a single mistake. His tap-dancing was pretty fair, too, though we didn't get to see too much of it in this one-reeler.How do these guys not get noticed, but others with no obvious talent seem to go much further? Judging from this flick, it must have a lot to do with personality. He seems very arrogant, and I assume he was as he did not seem like much of an actor. Thanks to Ted Turner for unearthing this and so many other interesting if not classic pictures. I can almost forgive you for the whole colorization thing.