Manhattan Love Song is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic comedy drama film directed by Leonard Fields and starring Robert Armstrong, Dixie Lee and Franklin Pangborn. It was produced and distributed by Monogram Pictures. It is based on the 1932 novel of the same title by Cornell Woolrich.
Plot summary
Although sisters Geraldine and Carol Stewart live luxuriously in a Park Avenue apartment in New York City, their money has run out due to some bad business investments. Their servants, Williams and Annette, expect to be leaving, but the sisters invite them to remain as paying tenants. They agree, then surprise the haughty sisters by expecting them to share in performing the household chores.
Geraldine looks for work, but receives no offers except for a striptease act in a burlesque show. Williams is mistaken for a taxi driver by a wealthy tourist, "Pancake Annie" Jones from Nevada, who has come with her son Phineas to seek an entry into Manhattan high society.
Carol elopes with a rich acquaintance, Garrett Wetherby, which leaves Geraldine on her own, needing money. She accepts the job doing a striptease, but is arrested when the club is raided. Williams decides to accept Pancake Annie's offer to go West in her employment. Geraldine realizes she loves Williams and asks to go along.
Cast
Robert Armstrong as Tom Williams
Dixie Lee as Geraldine Stewart
Nydia Westman as Annette
Franklin Pangborn as Garrett Wetherby
Cecil Cunningham as Pancake Annie Jones
Harold Waldridge as Phineas Jones
Helen Flint as Carol Stewart
Herman Bing as Gustave
George Irving as Kenbrook
Emmett Vogan as Doctor
Harrison Greene as Joe Thomas
Eddie Dean as Sam
Nick Copeland as Al Kingston
Tom Ricketts as Rich Man
Edward Peil Sr. as Employment Agent
Hal Price as Gil, Taxicab Driver
Frances Morris as Chorus Girl
Soundtrack
Dixie Lee - "A Little Shack on Fifth Avenue" (Music by Edward Ward and Bernie Grossman, words by David Silverstein) "Daisy" (uncredited player) - "Hang Up Your Hat" (Music by Edward Ward and Bernie Grossman, words by David Silverstein)
References
Bibliography
Bradley, Edwin M. Unsung Hollywood Musicals of the Golden Era: 50 Overlooked Films and Their Stars, 1929-1939. McFarland, 2016. Goble, Alan. The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter, 1999.
External links
1934 films
1930s romantic comedy-drama films
American black-and-white films
Films based on American novels
American romantic comedy-drama films
1934 comedy films
1934 drama films
Films scored by Edward Ward (composer) Films directed by Leonard Fields 1930s English-language films 1930s American films Monogram Pictures films Films set in New York City Films based on works by Cornell Woolrich