Going Places Reviews

This was the fourth time around for this story and Powell's third bomb in a row, the other two being HARD TO GET and COWBOY FROM BROOYLYN. Based on "The Hottentot," a play by Victor Mapes and William Collier, it was first made as a silent, HOTTENTOT, starring Douglas MacLean, then again as a talkie with Edward Everett Horton and Patsy Ruth Miller. Later, it was the basis for a Joe E. Brown comedy called POLO JOE. Powell is a sporting goods salesman who needs to get some business so he poses as a famous jockey and gets in with the horsey set. He falls in love with wealthy Louise and then has to ride her uncle's steed, "Jeepers Creepers," in the big race. Do we have to tell you if he wins or loses? Louis Armstrong plays the horse's groom and gets to sing the big song based on the horse's name. Ronald Reagan is the devil-may-care son of the rich horse owner, Hall, and Louise is the lovely niece. The horse is very jumpy and can only be calmed when Armstrong sings to him so the race takes place with Powell aboard in the silks and Armstrong riding alongside with a bunch of musicians as they sing to the animal. Unlikely, you say? Well, of course. And that was about the most logical element of the movie. Reagan does well in a small part but it's Armstrong who steals what little there is to steal. Once again, the best thing in the film was the music. The song "Dust" by Johnny Marvin earned an Oscar nomination and the film included the following Harry Warren tunes: "Jeepers Creepers," "Say It With A Kiss," "Oh, What A Horse Was Charley," and "Mutiny In The Nursery." Good musical cameos by the Dandridge Sisters and Maxine Sullivan.