Louis Prima

(On Cable TV, June 2022) While no one will ever mistake Start Cheering for a particularly noteworthy film, there is a pleasant blend of familiar 1930s elements at play in this comedy that makes it a fun watch if you’re familiar with the era. The bare bones of the plot say it all, as a Hollywood actor decides to go back to university to complete his education, and gets involved in the football team – that’s already three rich sources of comedy, and that’s before we bring in Jimmy Durante as the ringleader of the actor’s entourage trying to get him to quit school and go back to movies. It’s the blend of tropes, as the film goes from one familiar setting to the next, that makes up most of the film’s fun – plus Durante hamming it up, Louis Prima’s big band and a few dance numbers. Otherwise, there isn’t much to say: Start Cheering isn’t that good nor coherent as it jumps from one small bit to another, but it’s watchable enough. Although it’s much better if you’re knowledgeable enough about late-1930s Hollywood cinema to recognize all the pieces being put together.