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VARSITY SHOW (1937)
Film Pick of the Day
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
The students of Winfield College are determined to produce a modern musical-comedy extravaganza, but faculty adviser Prof. Biddle will only permit a mundane production with turn of the century values. With the help of music professor Ernie Mason (Fred Waring), the kids head for New York with their $1000 treasury to ask Winfield alumnus, and Broadway producer, Chuck Daly for help. Unknown to the students, Daly is broke after producing a string of Broadway flops. Daly's publicist/manager Willy Williams (Ted Healy) jumps at the money and hopes that the publicity will buy Chuck a job in Hollywood. Daly's arrival at Winfield angers Biddle, forcing a showdown with the Dean. So when the students learn of Chuck's professional woes, they stage a sit-down in an empty Broadway theatre.
Another typical entry in Warner Brothers' 1930s Broadway-based musicals, starring their top crooner Dick Powell, with choreography by Busby Berkeley and music & lyrics from Johnny Mercer and Dick Whiting. Ted Healy has a few opportunities to join in the singing and dancing, aptly displaying some of his vaudeville roots.
The original 1937 release had a runtime of 120 minutes. Re-released in Dec. 1942 to capitalize on the radio popularity of Fred Waring and His Pennsylvanians, and allowing it to fit on double bills, Warner Bros. cut 40 minutes and reduced it to 1 hour & 20 minutes. Evidence implies that the cuts were made to the original negative, and the shorter version is all that exists in Warner's library archives. A search for the missing footage has been ongoing for years, particularly during preparation of the DVD, but nothing has turned up.
Details
Average Rating:   [ 6.50/10 ] 2 votes |
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| Featuring | Ted Healy (Solo) |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Saturday, September 4, 1937 |
| Studio | Warner Bros. |
| Production Type | Feature Film |
| Duration | 120 min. |
