Watch King of Burlesque

King of Burlesque is a 1936 American musical comedy film directed by Sidney Lanfield and starring Warner Baxter, Alice Faye, and Jack Oakie. The film follows the journey of a former vaudeville performer named Jerry Flynn (Warner Baxter), who becomes the manager of a struggling burlesque theater in New York City. With the help of a talented new performer named Pat Doran (Alice Faye), Jerry attempts to revive the theater and bring it back to its former glory.

The movie begins with Jerry Flynn, a former vaudeville performer, taking over the Grand Opera House, a struggling burlesque theater in New York City. The previous owner has abandoned the theater, leaving behind unpaid bills and disgruntled employees. Jerry is determined to turn things around and transform the burlesque theater into a successful establishment.

One of Jerry's biggest challenges is finding talented performers to work in the theater. After auditioning many performers, he finally meets a young woman named Patricia Doran, who goes by the nickname of Pat (Alice Faye). Pat is an aspiring singer and dancer who dreams of making it big on Broadway. Although she initially refuses to work in a burlesque theater, Jerry convinces her to join the show.

With Pat's talent and Jerry's managerial skills, the burlesque theater becomes a success. The team creates a variety of entertaining acts, including comedy skits, musical performances, and burlesque shows. Despite the success, the team encounters many obstacles along the way. For example, the theater has to close temporarily due to a fire. However, the team perseveres and eventually reopens the theater, drawing in large crowds.

As the story progresses, Jerry begins to develop feelings for Pat, but she is already engaged to another man, who happens to be a wealthy playboy named Ralph Hodges (Gregory Ratoff). Ralph discovers Pat's work at the burlesque theater, and tries to convince her to quit and marry him. However, Pat refuses, as she loves performing and believes that the theater is her true home.

The tension between Jerry and Ralph comes to a head when Ralph attempts to sabotage the theater by bribing an inspector to shut it down. However, Jerry discovers the plot and manages to save the theater. He also helps Pat to realize her true feelings for him, and the two of them confess their love for one another.

King of Burlesque is a delightful musical comedy that showcases the talents of its stars. Warner Baxter delivers a solid performance as Jerry, a resilient and determined manager who is committed to his craft. Alice Faye is charming as Pat, a talented performer with a heart of gold. Jack Oakie delivers a hilarious performance as a bumbling comedian named Biff, who provides comic relief throughout the movie.

The film is also notable for its music and dance numbers, which are well-choreographed and entertaining. The standout number is Alice Faye's rendition of "Who Killed Maggie?" a comedic and risqué song that is a highlight of the burlesque show. Another standout song is "Sittin' on a Backyard Fence," a catchy tune sung by Alice Faye and chorus.

In conclusion, King of Burlesque is a fun and entertaining musical comedy that is worth watching for its exceptional performances, lively music, and humorous moments. It is a superb showcase of the talents of its stars, and a testament to the enduring popularity of burlesque theater in the 1930s. The movie is a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood musicals and comedies.

King of Burlesque is a 1936 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.