The Big Broadcast of 1936 (1935)
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70% of users liked it
(108 ratings)
After a false start in 1932, Paramount's Big Broadcast series was jump-started in late 1935 with The Big Broadcast of 1936. The wisp of a storyline involves two-bit radio station owner Spud (Jack Oakie), who doubles as the station's sole announcer while his comic partner Smiley (Henry… More After a false start in 1932, Paramount's Big Broadcast series was jump-started in late 1935 with The Big Broadcast of 1936. The wisp of a storyline involves two-bit radio station owner Spud (Jack Oakie), who doubles as the station's sole announcer while his comic partner Smiley (Henry Wadsworth) serves as the house crooner. On the verge of bankruptcy, Spud is receptive to the wacky notions of George Burns and Gracie Allen, who've just invented a television device which can pick up and transmit any signal, any time, anywhere. Among the variety artists captured on cathode by George and Gracie's invention are Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman, Amos 'N' Andy (Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll in blackface), Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, the Vienna Boys Choir, bandleaders Ray Noble and Ina Ray Hutton, and a knockabout vaudeville act called Willie, West and McGinty, who spend most of the film's running time trying to simultaneously build and demolish a house. The plot evolves into a dry run for the later Hope-Crosby "Road" pictures, with Spud and Smiley ending up on the intrigue-ridden island governed by zany countess Ysobel de Nargila (Lyda Roberti). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Norman Taurog
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Sep 20, 1935 Wide
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Cast
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Jack Oakie
as Spud
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George Burns
as George, Mr. Platt
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Gracie Allen
as Gracie, Mrs. Platt
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Lyda Roberti
as Countess Ysobel de Narglia
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Wendy Barrie
as Sue
- Bing Crosby
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Henry Wadsworth
as Smiley
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Ethel Merman
as Themselves
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Ben Baker
as Herman
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Samuel S. Hinds
as Captain
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Akim Tamiroff
as Boris
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Fayard Nicholas
as Dash
- Amos 'N' Andy
- Mary Boland
- Charlie Ruggles
- The Vienna Boys Choir
- Guy Standing
- Gail Patrick
- David Holt
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Virginia Weidler
as Flower Girl
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Arthur Ayleswofth
as Radio Station Creditor
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C. Henry Gordon
as Gordonio
- Ina Ray Hutton and Band
- The Nicholas Brothers
- Ray Noble and Orchestra
- Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
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Jack Benny
as Jack Carson
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Martha Raye
as Patsy
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Shirley Ross
as Gwen Holmes
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Ray Milland
as Bob Miller
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Frank Forest
as Frank Rossman
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Benny Fields
as Himself
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Benny Goodman Orchestra
as Themselves
- Louis Da Pron
- Eleanore Whitney
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Larry Adler
as Specialty
- Billy Lee
-
Luis Alberni
as Dr. Herkimer de Gabsel-Schoomenheimer
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Irving Bacon
as Radio Sound Man
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Maurice Cass
as Announcer
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Gino Corrado
as Violinist
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Ernest Cossart
as Radio Actor
-
Sam Hearn
as Schlepperman
-
Stan Kavanaugh
as Kavvy
-
Leonid Kinskey
as Russian
-
Leopold Stokowski
as Himself
-
Bob Burns
as Bob Black
- Gene Krupa
-
Dennis O'Keefe
as Control Room Director
