Playmates (1941)

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The much-maligned Playmates callously offers the appalling spectacle of a thoroughly dissolute John Barrymore in his final screen performance, but the film isn't quite as bad as it's supposed to be. Barrymore plays himself, a washed-up ham actor up to his ears in debts. When the IRS demands payment… More The much-maligned Playmates callously offers the appalling spectacle of a thoroughly dissolute John Barrymore in his final screen performance, but the film isn't quite as bad as it's supposed to be. Barrymore plays himself, a washed-up ham actor up to his ears in debts. When the IRS demands payment for back taxes, Barrymore's press agent Pete Lindsey (Peter Lynd Hayes) and manager Lulu Monohan (Patsy Kelly) suggest a sure-fire moneymaking scheme: the venerable thespian will transform bucolic bandleader Kay Kyser (also playing himself) into a Shakespearean actor, in exchange for a fat radio contract. Neither Kyser nor Barrymore are keen on this set-up, but while Kyser is willing to go through with the plan, Barrymore seeks various devious methods of wriggling out of the committment. Barrymore goes so far as to sic his peppery girlfriend Carmen del Toro (Lupe Velez) on poor Kyser, hoping to dissuade the bandleader from showing up at the climactic Long Island Shakespeare Festival peformance. When this fails, Barrymore spikes Kyser's throat spray with alum, only to be rendered speechless himself when the spray bottles are switched. Suffice to say that all ends happily, with Kay Kyser and his aggregation (Ginny Simms, Harry Babbitt, Ish Kabibble et. al.) performing a rather pleasant "swing" version of Romeo and Juliet. Admittedly, it's rather hard to watch Playmates knowing that John Barrymore had once been regarded as the greatest actor of his generation. Even so, a few bright moments shrine through, notably a poignant scene in which Barrymore briefly recaptures the old magic by reciting a few passages from Hamlet's soliloquy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: David Butler (I), David Butler
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

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Cast

            John Barrymore as Himself

            Lupe Velez as Carmen del Torre

            Ginny Simms as Herself

            May Robson as Grandma Kyser

            Patsy Kelly as Lulu Monahan

            Peter Lind Hayes as Himself

            George Cleveland as Mr. Pennypacker

            Alice Fleming as Mrs. Pennypacker

            Harry Babbitt as Himself

            Leon Belasco as Prince Maharoohu

            Joe Bernard as Thomas

            M.A. Bogue as Himself

            Jack Carr as Pee Wee

            Bill Cartledge as Page Boy

            Hobart Cavanaugh as Tremble

            Bill Chaney as Call Boy

            Ray Cooke as Bellhop

            William Halligan as Mr. Loomis

            Vinton Haworth as Commentator

            Ish Kabibble
            
            Kay Kyser
            
            Sully Mason as Himself

            George McKay as Taxi Driver

            Sally Payne as Gloria

            Marshall Ruth
            
            Dave Willock as Cameraman

            Dorothy Babb as Autograph Girl

            Sally Cairns as Manicurist

            Grace Lenard as Madeline

            Rube Schaffer as Masseur

            Jacques Vanaire as Alphonse

            Wally Walker as Comedy Bull Team
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