PADDLIN' MADELINE HOME -CLIFF EDWARDS SOUNDIE 1943

Here's the great Cliff Edwards in one of the small handful of Soundies he appeared in. Cliff is in fine form in this movie and even does one of his famous scat vocals between choruses. While Cliff's performance is fine, the rest of the film is an odd-ball affair. The movie starts out with an accordion solo with some inept dancing girls. Lots of Soundies had poorly staged and badly choreographed dance numbers and this one is no exception. Perhaps they didn't have time to rehearse. This opening segment, that is filmed without Cliff's presence, runs close to 90 seconds. Most Soundies run about 3 minutes tops, but this opening section with the accordionist and dancers pushes the running time to 3 minutes, 45 seconds. Certainly, one of the longest Soundies I have ever seen. Also, the way Cliff appears in this film makes him look more suited for a darkly lit Burlesque house instead of the one time Broadway headliner that he was. Cliff Edwards was never classically handsome- if anything, he had more of a mild-mannered, boy-next-door boyish good look quality when he was in his hey day in the 1920's. This doesn't denigrate the fact that he was a great comic and character actor and one of the greatest singers of all with a terrific range. Certainly, he is one of my all-time favorites.
You're probably wondering who Nedra Merle is as she receives screen credit under Cliff Edwards' name. By age 17 she was a professional accordionist in Vaudeville and concert theaters. During the war she did entertaining for the USO but left show business in order to raise a family. She's only 21 in this film and I have learned that she passed away in 2008 at the age of 85. This might possibly he her only screen performance.
All-in-all, a most enjoyable movie that is still around for all to enjoy.