Bing Crosby was 30 years old, and Carole Lombard was 25 when this film came out. Crosby had been singing since high school, and at college, but never acted in the movies until sound came along. Even then, he did just shorts and uncredited parts in his first few films. It wasn't until 1932 that he got leads in four lesser comedies. "We're Not Dressing" was his fifth film with a leading role. It was his first paired with a top actress and up-and-coming leading star, Carole Lombard. Lombard had several years of acting behind her from the silent era. Before this film, she had appeared in dozens of films, including 18 leading roles. While she would become one of the finest comediennes in film, Lombard was a versatile actress who starred in everything from dramas and mystery-thrillers, to action-adventures and musicals.
This film is a good pairing of the two stars. I especially like the young Crosby who had an excellent singing voice. This is very early in his career, before Bing developed his more sophisticated persona, and his voice settled into its deep range. In this film, Crosby sings 10 songs that have a range of tempos and beats - and very good lyrics. I like the acting and directing, and Crosby's nuances in this film where the camera catches him frequently looking out of the side of his eye at Lombard. We can read his thoughts, "What is she up to now? Or, what's she going to do next?"
The plot is OK, if a little screwy, and it has some very odd touches, mostly for humor. For instance, the pet bear, and the appearance of George Burns and Gracie Allen for some funny exchanges. The rest of the cast add to the humor in this comedy musical romance. A young Ray Milland and another shyster trip around masquerading as princes from some forgotten European country. Ethel Merman and Leon Errol do well as a couple of clowns.
Some of the outdoor scenes were shot at Catalina Island off the coast of California. But, for the most part the movie was shot in Paramount studies. The sets for this film appear awfully amateurish, but for that time they were OK. And, watching this movie today, one can just imagine that we're watching it on stage with stage props. So, we don't need the real thing but can enjoy the songs and story as done.
The musical numbers are all very good, and I like the acting and interplay between Crosby's and Lombard's characters. I don't know where the title comes from, but "We're Not Dressing" is a fun and entertaining movie.
In one place, Doris and Stephen refer to "The Admirable Crichton." That would have been the 1902 play by J. M. Barrie that first was made into a silent film in 1918. More than 20 year after "We're Not Dressing" came out, the better known film was made that starred Kenneth More. That 1957 film also was known as "Paradise Lagoon."
Here are some favorite lines from the film. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Hubert, "I'll never go on another uninhabited island. I don't care who lives there."
Edith, "Aw, let's go out in the jungle and pick some orchids." Hubert, "I'm tired. Let 'em come out here and pick us."
Doris Worthington, "Sailor, look at the moon. Now look at me. Now tell me what you're thinking about." Stephen Jones, "Uh, uh, uh, this diagram. I..." Doris Worthington, "Sailors aren't what they used to be. No sir. Gimme the good old sailors."
This film is a good pairing of the two stars. I especially like the young Crosby who had an excellent singing voice. This is very early in his career, before Bing developed his more sophisticated persona, and his voice settled into its deep range. In this film, Crosby sings 10 songs that have a range of tempos and beats - and very good lyrics. I like the acting and directing, and Crosby's nuances in this film where the camera catches him frequently looking out of the side of his eye at Lombard. We can read his thoughts, "What is she up to now? Or, what's she going to do next?"
The plot is OK, if a little screwy, and it has some very odd touches, mostly for humor. For instance, the pet bear, and the appearance of George Burns and Gracie Allen for some funny exchanges. The rest of the cast add to the humor in this comedy musical romance. A young Ray Milland and another shyster trip around masquerading as princes from some forgotten European country. Ethel Merman and Leon Errol do well as a couple of clowns.
Some of the outdoor scenes were shot at Catalina Island off the coast of California. But, for the most part the movie was shot in Paramount studies. The sets for this film appear awfully amateurish, but for that time they were OK. And, watching this movie today, one can just imagine that we're watching it on stage with stage props. So, we don't need the real thing but can enjoy the songs and story as done.
The musical numbers are all very good, and I like the acting and interplay between Crosby's and Lombard's characters. I don't know where the title comes from, but "We're Not Dressing" is a fun and entertaining movie.
In one place, Doris and Stephen refer to "The Admirable Crichton." That would have been the 1902 play by J. M. Barrie that first was made into a silent film in 1918. More than 20 year after "We're Not Dressing" came out, the better known film was made that starred Kenneth More. That 1957 film also was known as "Paradise Lagoon."
Here are some favorite lines from the film. For more dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page of the movie.
Hubert, "I'll never go on another uninhabited island. I don't care who lives there."
Edith, "Aw, let's go out in the jungle and pick some orchids." Hubert, "I'm tired. Let 'em come out here and pick us."
Doris Worthington, "Sailor, look at the moon. Now look at me. Now tell me what you're thinking about." Stephen Jones, "Uh, uh, uh, this diagram. I..." Doris Worthington, "Sailors aren't what they used to be. No sir. Gimme the good old sailors."