Radio City Revels is a 1938 American musical comedy film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and starring Bob Burns, Jack Oakie and Ann Miller.
The film's sets were designed by the art director Van Nest Polglase. Although set in New York City, specifically at Radio City, much of the film was shot in RKO's California studios. The company had originally planned to make the film in 1934 starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. In 1937 the project was revived with a new cast.
Plot
A struggling song-writing team strike gold when an aspiring writer arrives in New York as he composes masterpieces in his sleep. They begin to appropriate his work under their own name, scoring major hits.
Cast
Bob Burns as Lester Robin
Jack Oakie as Harry Miller
Kenny Baker as Kenny Baker
Ann Miller as Billie Shaw
Victor Moore as Paul Plummer
Milton Berle as Teddy Jordan
Helen Broderick as Gertie Shaw
Jane Froman as Jane Froman
Buster West as Squenchy
Melissa Mason as Lisa
Richard Lane as Crane
Marilyn Vernon as Delia Robin
Charles Coleman as The Butler
Don Wilson as Don Wilson - Radio Station Announcer
Hal Kemp and His Orchestra as Themselves
William Brisbane as Mr. Ipswich
Rosalind Marquis as Singer
Kirby Grant as Singer
Bobby Barber as Waiter
Reception
According to RKO records, the film made a loss of $300,000. It got a mixed reception from critics at Variety and The New York Times who were negative about aspects of the film while praising the performance of rising star Ann Miller.
References
Bibliography
Shelley, Peter. Ann Miller: Her Life and Career. McFarland, 2020.