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… 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
- Directed By
- David Butler (I), David Butler
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy
Unrated,
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Cast
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John Barrymore
as Himself
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Lupe Velez
as Carmen del Torre
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Ginny Simms
as Herself
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May Robson
as Grandma Kyser
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Patsy Kelly
as Lulu Monahan
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Peter Lind Hayes
as Himself
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George Cleveland
as Mr. Pennypacker
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Alice Fleming
as Mrs. Pennypacker
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Harry Babbitt
as Himself
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Leon Belasco
as Prince Maharoohu
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Joe Bernard
as Thomas
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M.A. Bogue
as Himself
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Jack Carr
as Pee Wee
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Bill Cartledge
as Page Boy
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Hobart Cavanaugh
as Tremble
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Bill Chaney
as Call Boy
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Ray Cooke
as Bellhop
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William Halligan
as Mr. Loomis
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Vinton Haworth
as Commentator
- Ish Kabibble
- Kay Kyser
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Sully Mason
as Himself
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George McKay
as Taxi Driver
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Sally Payne
as Gloria
- Marshall Ruth
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Dave Willock
as Cameraman
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Dorothy Babb
as Autograph Girl
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Sally Cairns
as Manicurist
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Grace Lenard
as Madeline
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Rube Schaffer
as Masseur
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Jacques Vanaire
as Alphonse
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Wally Walker
as Comedy Bull Team
