What's Cookin'? is a 1942 American musical film directed by Edward F. Cline and starring The Andrews Sisters, Jane Frazee, Robert Paige and Gloria Jean. The film is based on the story Wake Up and Dream written by Edgar Allan Woolf.

What's Cookin'?
Directed byEdward F. Cline
Written byJerome Cady
Stanley Roberts
Haworth Bromley
Based on
StarringThe Andrews Sisters
Jane Frazee
Robert Paige
Gloria Jean
CinematographyJerome Ash
Edited byArthur Hilton
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • February 20, 1942 (1942-02-20)
Running time
69 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

edit

Mrs. Murphy's Theatrical Boarding House is a place where young performers reside. A group of those young people try to escape after finding out they are unable to pay the rent. However they get caught by the landlady and fellow tenant Marvo the Great is forced to sell his clothes to pay the rent. They next set out to the radio network WECA to visit singer Anne Payne. Anne is a former boarding house member who now works at the radio station with the Andrews Sisters and Woody Herman and His Orchestra. When Marvo is later conversing with Anne at her apartment, her wealthy neighbour Sue Courtney drops in their conversation and wonders if she can join the group.

Meanwhile, at the Courtney estate, Sue's uncle and aunt, J.P. and Agatha, meet with their advertising counselor Bob Riley. She complains that the radio station only plays classical songs. Sue offers to help them out by asking her new friends to make swing music for the radio station. They do so and Bob notices Anne, whom he immediately falls in love with. Sue meanwhile falls in love with young performer Tommy.

Cast

edit

Production

edit

The film was known as Wake Up and Dream.[1]

Soundtrack

edit
  • Golden Wedding
  • Woodchopper's Ball
    • Written by Joe Bishop
    • Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
  • I'll Pray for You
    • Written by Arthur Altman and Kim Gannon
    • Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
    • Sung by Jane Frazee, Gloria Jean, and The Andrews Sisters
  • What to Do?
    • Written by Sid Robin
    • Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
    • Sung by The Andrews Sisters
  • You Can't Hold a Memory in Your Arms
    • Written by Hy Zaret and Arthur Altman
    • Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
    • Sung by Jane Frazee
  • Blue Flame
    • Written by James Noble
    • Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
  • Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark
    • Sung by Gloria Jean
  • If
    • Played by the studio orchestra
    • Sung by the studio vocal group
  • Love Laughs at Anything
    • Written by Gene de Paul, and Don Raye
    • Sung by Gloria Jean
  • Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile!
    • Music by Felix Powell
    • Lyrics by George Asaf
    • Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
    • Sung by Jane Frazee, Gloria Jean, and The Andrews Sisters
  • Amen Spitural
    • Written by Vic Schoen, and Roger Segure
    • Played by Woody Herman and His Orchestra
    • Sung by Jane Frazee, Gloria Jean, and The Andrews Sisters

Reception

edit

The New York Times noticed there is "plenty cookin' in this brisk, breezy Andrews Sisters vehicle". It also called the supporting cast "topheavy".[2] The website Answers.com gave the film one star.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ Ruth Warrick, Edmund O'Brien Will Play in 'Angel Face' - New York Times 24 Jan 1942: 13.
  2. ^ The New York Times What's Cookin'? Overview
  3. ^ Answers What's Cookin? film
edit