College Swing (1938)

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(1,006 ratings)

It's hard to go wrong with such stars as Bob Hope, Burns & Allen, Martha Raye and Edward Everett Horton, and College Swing doesn't-go wrong, that is. The film begins in 1738, when a pact is drawn up between the Alden family and a highly respected Colonial college: If any female member of the family… More It's hard to go wrong with such stars as Bob Hope, Burns & Allen, Martha Raye and Edward Everett Horton, and College Swing doesn't-go wrong, that is. The film begins in 1738, when a pact is drawn up between the Alden family and a highly respected Colonial college: If any female member of the family can pass her college exams within a 200-year period, ownership of the institution will be turned over to her. Comes 1938, and the last of the Alden girls, giddy Gracie Alden (Gracie Allen, of course) hires glib-tongued tutor Bud Brady (Bob Hope) to help her pass her exams. She also tries to win over no-nonsense professor Hubert Dash (Edward Everett Horton), who has no intention of handing his college over to a blithering idiot like Gracie. Once she has inherited the place, however, Gracie turns it into a jumpin'-jivin' joint, complete with jitterbugging students, swing bands and remote radio broadcasts. Though George Burns' role is nearly nonexistent, he does get to indulge in his patented cross-talk with Allen. Others contributing to the fun are Ben Blue, Jerry Colonna, Betty Grable, and Grable's then-husband Jackie Coogan. Highlights include Allen's spirited Irish jig and her endearing song duet with Edward Everett Horton. College Swing is the sort of high-powered, all-star entertainment that is virtually impossible to reproduce today. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Raoul Walsh
Written By: Walter DeLeon, Francis Martin
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

On DVD: May 19, 1993

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Cheerful musical, with inventive Raoul Walsh style and nice touches of fantasy images.

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This movie has great actors, but they don't really work together, so it's like watching two different movies sometimes. The ending is the best part.

Cast

            George Burns as George Jonas

            Gracie Allen as Gracie Alden

            Martha Raye as Mable

            Bob Hope as Bud Brady

            Edward Everett Horton as Hubert Dash

            Florence George as Ginna Ashburn

            Ben Blue as Ben Volt

            Betty Grable as Betty

            Jackie Coogan as Jackie

            John Payne as Martin Bates

            Cecil Cunningham as Dean Sleet

            Robert Cummings as Radio Announcer

            Skinnay Ennis as Skinnay

            The Slate Brothers as Themselves

            Jerry Colonna as Prof. Yascha Koloski

            Tully Marshall as Grandpa Alden

            Edward J. Le Saint as Dr. Storm

            Barlowe Borland as Dean

            Jerry Bergen as Prof. Jasper Chinn

            Richard Denning
            
            Gracie Fields
            
            John Hubbard as Student

            Alphonse Martell as Headwaiter

            Charles Trowbridge as Dr. Ashburn

            Dorothy White as Dancer

            The Bob Mitchell Boy Choir as Himself
See full cast