We're Not Dressing (1934) User Reviews

Down to Their Last Yacht

[lugonian · 7/10 · 11 July 2003]

WE'RE NOT DRESSING (Paramount, 1934), directed by Norman Taurog, may sound like a pre-code movie set at a nudist colony, but in spite of this offbeat title, it's actually a tuneful, in fact, very tuneful musical-comedy set on a South Pacific island. Heading the cast is Bing Crosby, taking a new direction in his fourth leading role for Paramount in a revamped story to James M. Barrie's novel, "The Admirable Crichton."

The story opens on a yacht christianed "Doris" where Prince Alexander (Jay Henry) and Prince Michael (Ray Milland), a couple of phonies out to nab rich women, accompany the wealthy yacht owner named Doris Worthington (Carole Lombard) on a cruise in the South Pacific. Also on board is her Uncle Hubert (Leon Errol), and his man-chasing fiancée, Edith (Ethel Merman). Doris is loved by Alexander and Michael, but while faced with a dilemma as to which one she should marry, she also has her eye on a deck hand sailor named Steve Jones (Bing Crosby). Aside from taking orders from her, he takes on the responsibility in caring for her pet bear, Droopy. When the drunken Hubert takes over the helm of the yacht, causing it to go out of control, it eventually sinks, causing all passengers to jump overboard in their life preservers. The crew is lost at sea while Steve, accompanied by Droopy and the ever-complaining Doris, comes upon an deserted island. Eventually the island is inhabited by the two princes, Hubert and Edith. On the other side of the island are George and Gracie Martin (George Burns and Gracie Allen), a couple of botanists working on experiments, adding more to the confusion.

Unlike the easy-going character he was to play on film through much of his career, WE'RE NOT DRESSING places Crosby on the tough side, especially on the island where he takes control over the castaways, ready to fight the two princes, and keeping the temperamental Doris under control by dunking her head in the ocean water or giving her a facial slap in return for a kiss.

A fine selection of tunes by Harry Revel and Mack Gordon include: "It's a Lie, It's a Lie!" (sung by sailors); "A Sailor Must Be True to Any One Girl," (sung by Bing Crosby); "It's a Lie, It's a Lie!" "It's a New Spanish Custom" (sung by Ethel Merman); "I Positively Refuse to Sing" (with a brief insert of "Stormy Weather"); "May I?" "She Reminds Me of You," "Goodnight, Lovely Little Lady," "Love Thy Neighbor," "May I?" "Once in a Blue Moon" (all sung by Crosby); "It's the Aninal in Me" (sung briefly by Merman); and "Goodnight, Lovely Little Lady" (sung by Crosby). Of the many songs, "May I?" is no doubt the best in the bunch. The latter part of the story finds Crosby crooning the haunting "Once in a Blue Moon" to Lombard in the foreground of the shining moon. According to Bob Dorian, former host of American Movie Classics, in one of its several broadcasts in 1992, commented on the cut number, "It's the Animal in Me," sung by Ethel Merman, and inserted to another musical, THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936 (1935) starring Jack Oakie. In spite of that tune taken out of WE'RE NOT fadeout.

WE'RE NOT DRESSING can be categorized as the most tuneful of the Bing Crosby musicals, consisting as many as six songs heard before reaching the twenty minute mark. More tunes are sung, some reprized, before coming to its 75 minute conclusion. Reminiscent to early sound musicals of the 1929-30 period, the film consists of a leading couple (Crosby and Lombard) supported by a secondary comical couple (Merman and Errol) taking part in songs while going into their comedic dance. As an added attraction, there's the comedy team of the serious-minded Burns and daffy Allen as another secondary couple around to enlighten things with their now familiar comic exchanges having no bearing with the story. In one prime scene, Gracie demonstrates to George how she captures lions and tigers with her numerous "moose traps." This sequence is generally amusing until George's predicament becomes a bit too painful to become humorous as he falls victim to Gracie's contraption, with his feet trapped in shackles and hands tied over his head to be left behind as he faces a loaded rifle pointing directly in his direction. In spite of this minor flaws, any film consisting of a live crooning and roller skating around the deck, is one crazy movie.

Of the Crosby musicals of the early 1930s, WE'RE NOT DRESSING ranks one of the longer survivors on commercial television in the 1970s before shifting over to cable stations as American Movie Classics (1991-92), the Disney Channel (1990s) and Turner Classic Movies where it premiered August 17, 2006 during its all day tribute to Carole Lombard. Distributed to home video in the 1990s, WE'RE NOT DRESSING continues to find a new audience with its current availability on DVD. Good night, lovely little lady. (***)

WE’RE NOT DRESSING (Norman Taurog, 1934) ***

[Bunuel1976 · 7/10 · 5 December 2007]

I can’t say that I was particularly looking forward to this musical comedy, but it turned out to be a very entertaining 1 hour and 14 minutes. Being a Bing Crosby vehicle (albeit featured on Universal’s Carole Lombard set), there’s a plethora of dated romantic songs – and since a young (not to say slim) Ethel Merman appears in support, she chimes in as well…and so does comic Leon Errol!

Still, as I said, it’s a generally fun seafaring ride (inspired by J.M. Barrie’s “The Admirable Crichton”) – though given a rather silly and entirely meaningless title! Also in the cast are another comic couple – George Burns (who really achieved stardom after an Oscar-winning turn some 40 years later!) and real-life spouse Gracie Allen – and a young (though somewhat stiff) Ray Milland as one of two aristocratic parasites hoping to win Lombard’s hand. However, she’s got her eyes on crooning sailor Crosby – but, of course, their relationship runs far from smoothly!

Starting off on Lombard’s yacht, the group are shipwrecked on a tropical island (thanks to a tipsy Errol sabotaging the boat’s commands) – where explorers Burns and Allen(!) are carrying out some kind of research. Actually, the two parties rarely interact: in fact, very little happens on the island itself – other than that the feckless idle rich are taught a moral lesson by the manly and resourceful Crosby (anticipating Lombard’s own MY MAN GODFREY [1936] in this respect).

It’s refreshing to find Lombard in a non-wacky role, but her performance is just as delightful as ever; equally notable are the amusing contribution of Errol (Lombard’s uncle but who’s sympathetic to commoner Crosby) and the various antics of the harebrained Allen (which includes her devising an unlikely and complicated method to trap wild animals). Even so, an amiable bear named Droopy (Lombard’s pet!) steals everybody’s thunder – especially in the way it cuddles up to Crosby when singing a particular tune, and a hilarious scene in which the animal runs riot on the deck of the yacht after Errol fits it with skating shoes! There’s even a joke at the expense of another Paramount star, Mae West, when a sailor describes the acronym ‘B.C.’ as ‘Before “Come Up And See Me, Sometime”’.

The Gilligan's Island Revue

[AlsExGal · 7/10 · 30 October 2012]

This 30's Paramount film starts out on board the "Doris", luxury yacht belonging to heiress Doris Worthington (Carole Lombard). Along for the ride is her uncle Hubert (Leon Errol), Ray Milland and Jay Henry as two princes who stick together like glue and both want to marry Doris, and friend Edith (Ethel Merman) who says she'll take the prince Doris turns down. Bing Crosby plays singing sailor Stephen Jones who Doris has named caretaker of her pet bear. Aboard ship Doris pushes Stephen around - although not without him pushing back - until uncle Hubert's drunkenness causes the yacht to sink. Now the tides of inequality are turned and it's Stephen with his knowledge of survival skills - and common sense skills like cooking - that give him the upper hand over his five aristocratic companions when they all find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island.

This is when Bing was in the light and breezy musical comedy part of his film career, and the public ate this amusing escapist stuff up. Besides Bing's singing, Carole Lombard is beginning to hit her stride as a great comedienne, Ethel Merman sings a little but is mainly part of the comedy, and a very young Ray Milland manages to get upstaged by a wrestling bear.

So that the "stranded on a desert island" theme doesn't get tired, George Burns and Gracie Allen are on the island too playing two naturalists in search of wild beasts that can be studied with an amusing bit where Gracie shows George the wild animal trap she's invented.

Recommended as great light musical comedy fare from the 30's that, although it is technically precode, could have easily gotten past the censors had it been released even a year later.

A strange amalgam

[HallmarkMovieBuff · 17 August 2006]

OK, take away Der Bingle's singing, and what have you got? ... OK, take away Burns & Allen's comedy, and what have you got? ... OK, take away the music-comedy of Merman and Errol, and what have you got? ... OK, take away the dancing (and roller skating) bear, and what have you got? There must be a story in there somewhere...and there is, but as one of many versions of James Barrie's "Admirable Crichton," it's hardly unique.

So how do you make a musical comedy out of a social lesson? You subjugate the story and make it incidental. You find an appealing star like Carole Lombard and place her in the role of the hoity-toity socialite. You cast a crooner like Bing Crosby opposite her. You add some well-known actors like George Burns and Gracie Allen, Leon Errol, and a twenty-something Ethel Merman for some comic relief. Finally, you toss in a prince or two in the form of a Ray Milland and, in his sole role, Jay Henry, and...voilá, by George, you've got it!

In short, turn off your mind and enjoy the ride.

A strange hodge podge with some nice songs

[brendangcarroll · 6/10 · 22 April 2017]

I hadn't seen this strange hodgepodge of a film for about 40 years and finally caught up with it again on DVD.

All of the ingredients and defects that irritated me the first time around were just as irritating the second - the pet bear (a "joke" that long outstays its welcome) Leon Errol's drunk act and the tedious Burns and Allen shtick that is frequently dropped into the film without any relationship to the story - while the good parts still pleased me, namely Carole Lombard's winsome beauty and charm, and the lovely songs by Gordoon and Revel, which are not always presented to their best advantage but are very catchy nonetheless.

However, one thing I had not noticed 40 years ago on first viewing but which is worthy of mention, is that Mr Crosby sings "live" on set for most of the film and the orchestra is clearly on the soundstage, accompanying him and also most of the action.

This must have been one of the very last musical films to be shot in this way, without playback and lip-synchronisation (only perfected in 1933), which would soon become the industry norm.

So, this is a curio for that reason and also interesting in that we can more accurately assess Crosby's vocal skills and his way of performing and phrasing a song at this stage of his career - rather well, on this evidence.

Poor Ethel Merman is totally wasted but I read elsewhere here that her big number was cut and re-used in the later BIG BROADCAST of 1936. Her best film was yet to come - Alexander's RAGTIME BAND, where she lights up the screen every time she comes on to belt out another Irving Berlin hit.

Back to this film - its one saving virtue is its length - a crisp 74 minutes, which means that no matter how tiresome the comedy becomes (and it does, believe me), it isn't too long to wait before Bing sings yet another lovely song. The DVD print is in pretty good shape too.

Variety show

[rberrong-1 · 6/10 · 17 August 2006]

This movie does have something resembling a plot, but to summarize it would be to waste your time and insult your intelligence. It would also distract you from the movie's very real merits, which can be summed up as 1. Merman, 2. Burns and Allen, and 3. Crosby. Merman is the real star here; she gets one great musical number after the next and performs them with gusto and comedic flair. Crosby gets even more numbers, and performs them well, but they aren't as interesting. Burns and Allen do several comedy skits in their best style (Gracie and daffy is not something that you want to miss). The plot, or what passes for one, gets us from one musical or comedy number to the next, and for that its weakness can be forgiven.

Two notes. 1. Carol Lombard is wasted in this movie. 2. There is a tame bear in this movie that is constantly abused, which gets rather aggravating.

If you can make a copy of this movie, cut out the dialog and you will have some entertaining numbers.

This one is a matter of taste

[gridoon2024 · 6/10 · 12 December 2011]

"We're Not Dressing" has such a variety of stars that chances are each viewer will find something (or someone) to like: there's Bing Crosby for the ballads, Carole Lombard for the romantic comedy, Ethel Merman & Leon Errol for the crazy comedy, George Burns & Gracie Allen for the REALLY crazy comedy, and even a young Ray Milland for the trivia value! What it does NOT have is a plot. Personally I found the number of songs from the undeniably gifted Crosby excessive, and the "love story" between him and Lombard less than endearing. But Merman and Errol's "A new Spanish custom" is joyful, and Gracie Allen earns at least a couple of hearty laughs (her closing scene might be her best). **1/2 out of 4.

Bing, Carole. Ethel, Droopy, George & Grace!

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 16 January 2012]

This film isn't the greatest film ever made but one of the funniest for it's time. Bing Crosby plays a sailor aboard the yacht of Doris Worthington, a wealthy heiress played by the legendary Carole Lombard. Ethel Merman has a supporting role as friend and one of the other stranded passengers. Then there's a bear named Droopy that should have been credited on it's own. Bing and the Bear should have been the act's title. Bing sings a particular song to the bear to calm him down. Can't miss a bear on roller skates on the yacht! It must be seen to be appreciated for it's slapstick humor. The best is yet to come when they are stranded on an uninhabited island with George Burns and Gracie Allen. You can't not love Gracie Allen in this film as the dim-witted wife. You could see why and how much they loved each other. They were the perfect comedic pair on screen and off screen as well. It's an entertaining film.

How do you call worse than terrible?

[hudecha · 1/10 · 22 November 2020]

What an absurd, ridiculous, simply awful picture! Except of course if you enter into a trance whenever Bing Crosby starts crooning in a film and do not really care at all about the rest. Then maybe you'll enjoy this. I couldn't tell. If this is not the case and you are impervious to the soft voice, blue eyes and limited acting talent of Bing, then hereafter are a number of reasons NEVER to lose 75 minutes in watching it as I did - it might seem short to you, I can assure you it does not feel like it. Pick any of these reasons - they are all valid to consider it a stinker, and the list might even be expanded :

• the script. It is not simply silly and poor. It is extremely bad and annoying. By the way it is a transposition of the play The Admirable Crichton, which gets to be evoked by the characters at the end - and which is hopefully much better. It could not be worse at least.
• the filming. Constantly very low-grade - for instance the shipwreck, a real disaster indeed. Clueless and humorless.
• Carole Lombard's part. By far the worst one in which she had to waste her talent in her early career. She is a spoiled heiress - well, spoiled heiresses tended to be quite a lot of fun in comedies of the 30s, as Lombard herself more than convincingly demonstrated. Not this heiress - just plain dumb and witless character. Lombard's admirers, you should keep away. Not only will you be disappointed - you might get angry that such a poor role as a foil was offered her. Such as when she has to endure being filmed in a static shot a whole song with an expressionless crooning Bing Crosby, watching him fixedly and sort of making faces, just so as to have anything to do at all. Unaccountable, mindless cruelty to her from the director.
• the terrible sketches by Burns and Allen. It seems they were hugely popular comedy stars of their time. Well, whenever they started reappearing in this film, I cringed while thinking "oh no please, not them again!". I love absurd, nonsensical humor - but certainly not when it is as mediocre as that.
• the duet of princely money-chasers. Poor, poor young Ray Milland, one of them. I hope that later on he was able to smile on himself remembering he ever had to play such dismal stuff. He could - it did not ruin his career. I see that the actor playing the other prince never shot another film.
• and finally, Droopy the bear. Poor, poor bear. After some time I was not sure which apparitions, his or Burns and Allen's I most dreaded would take place again. Droopy gets the last laugh, that is the last no-laugh, in the film. Adequate conclusion.

But I am - very slightly - unfair. Is absolutely nothing to be saved from this utter wreck? Yes, there is. The couple formed by Leon Errol and Ethel Merman have a few good fun moments, especially their refreshingly not syrupy dancing number on the boat. And if you are patient enough to wait for a whole very long hour, Lombard and Crosby are offered exactly two good replicas at the end of the film - but be warned, SPOILER, if you read them now you may then have lost the only valid reason to watch the film at all. Doris, full of expectations under the romantic moonlight : "Now tell me what you're thinking about." Sailor : "Uh, this, uh- this diagram. I-" Doris : "Sailors aren't what they used to be. No, sir. Gimme the good old sailors." Doris: "I suppose a fate worse than death awaits me." Sailor : "How do you know it's worse than death? You never been dead, have ya?" Again, do not be abused - these funny replicas are not IN THE LEAST representative of the overall picture...

We're Not Dressing may not make a whole lot of sense but it's enjoyable enough

[tavm · 7/10 · 24 January 2014]

This is the second movie on Disc 1 of The Carole Lombard Collection I watched, the first being Man of the World. (Aside: on the DVD menu, it said to turn the disc over for Hands Across the Table but the Netflix packet it came in said only one side was usable.) Compared to the previous one, this one was more lively and was quite entertaining with many songs and comedy skits to keep things moving along. Ms. Lombard plays mostly straight to Bing Crosby, a bear who may be real or not depending on certain scenes, Ethel Merman, Leon Errol, a young Ray Milland, and George Burns & Gracie Allen. Don't expect everything to make sense, just sit back and enjoy the ride. So on that note, We're Not Dressing gets a high recommendation. P.S. If you've seen The Big Broadcast of 1936 and know about that number "It's the Animal in Me" being in that one after getting cut from this one, then you probably know why Ms. Merman briefly reprised it here.

Appalling.

[ptb-8 · 3/10 · 12 August 2017]

One vote for Carole Lombard, one vote for Ethel Merman and one vote for the art-deco yacht. You simply cannot believe your eyes at the animal cruelty towards the bear in this hideous stupidity..the bear called Droopy (drugged) and yanked about mercilessly on a chain to the gasping amusement of the cast and audience. This film is appalling. Podgy overweight Bing Crosby clearly needs a bra. Even the rolls of fat appear through his black turtleneck top. He is just the baby-man mummy's boy cringe factor no musical ever needs. I can see how this was a hit in 1934, but what a ridiculous not-funny-now result it is. Then we get the Burns-Allen radio blather. If you want to see friends recoil in horror at an old film, this is the one to do it. RKO re made it worse, if that is possible, with DOWN TO THEIR LAST YACHT.

A Fabulous Trio, Bing, Carole, and Droopy

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 13 August 2004]

For those who've never seen Carole Lombard, but have heard about her genius for screwball comedy, go check out We're Not Dressing. Simple plot, Bing's a sailor on the Lombard yacht and he, Lombard, her uncle Leon Errol, her friend Ethel Merman and two princes/gigolos, Ray Milland and Jay Henry are shipwrecked after a drunken Leon Errol runs the yacht up on a reef. In order that they survive the sailor has to take charge and does. Oh, and also surviving is Lombard's pet bear, a creature named Droopy.

Droopy comes pretty close to stealing the picture, especially after Leon Errol persuades Crosby to put roller-skates on him while they're still on the ship. He also has another trick, he won't hear any other song but Goodnight, Lovely Little Lady one of the songs written for this film by Mack Gordon and Harry Revel.

Gordon and Revel's best known numbers from this are May I and Love Thy Neighbor which sold a few platters for Bing back in 1934. Soon after writing a score for another Crosby picture Two For Tonight, they moved over to 20th Century Fox where they scored some of Alice Faye's films.

Ray Milland in his autobiography Wide-eyed in Babylon recounts a tragic story during the filming of We're Not Dressing. The bear trainer gave specific instructions that any women whose time of the month it was were not to be on the set that day. One of them lied and the trainer was badly injured and later died of those injuries sustained at the paws of a super hormonally charged bear. He also said that Paramount signed him to a long term contract on the strength of that film.

The six castaways were not quite alone on the island. Burns and Allen were there also with their brand of surreal comedy. Hollywood never knew quite what to do with them. God knows they were funny as all get out, but rarely were asked to carry a whole film.

Ethel Merman was another problem. Like her famous Broadway rival Mary Martin, she never quite made it in Hollywood. Her biggest success was always on Broadway. During the 1930s she would support, Crosby, Eddie Cantor, and most memorably Ty Power and Alice Faye and Don Ameche in Alexander's Ragtime Band. Her number It's The Animal In Me was cut from the picture, although it's briefly sung at the end. Paramount saved it and put it intact into their Big Broadcast of 1936 the following year.

At the time We're Not Dressing was shooting, Carole Lombard was romantically involved with Bing Crosby's singing rival crooner Russ Columbo. Columbo visited the set often and he and Crosby were friendly rivals and were known to do some impromptu singing during breaks. If only some sound man had left the microphone on. Columbo later died that year of a gunshot wound from an antique dueling pistol, a case that a lot of people felt was never satisfactorily solved.

So with Crosby, Lombard, Burns and Allen, Ethel Merman, Leon Errol just the sound of that casts spells some wacky wonderful fun.

Songs and sparkle overcome set of this comedy musical romance

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 5 November 2014]

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."

Add This One To The Knick-Knack Shelf -- It's Mainly A Curio

[oldblackandwhite · 5/10 · 19 April 2011]

Do Bing Crosby's mellow voice and Carole Lombard's terrific looks add up to a movie? Even a short one? Throw in the popular comedy team of Burns and Allen, plus Leon Errol and Ethel Merman for extra laughs, not to mention a very young Ray Milland, badly miscast as a snooty prince. And, oh yes, don't forget the pet bear. Are we there for an hour and seventeen minute movie? Sounds like the type of picture, I would enjoy, but in fact I liked the "The End" sign about as well as any scene in We're Not Dressing.

Bing croons about as well as ever, and Carole looks as good in her languid way as ever. George Burns and Gracie Allen, unfortunately, were just not as funny as I remembered them from their long-running (1950-58) TV show, which I used to think was hilarious when I watched it as a kid. I probably caught their popular Radio show as a small child in the 1940's, but I don't really remember it. Well this 1934 minor musical comedy, was long before their TV days, and no doubt their act was not developed along the same lines yet. Besides, radio and TV acts have very seldom translated with much success to the movie screen (Bob Hope's being a major exception).

The script, loosely based (and uncredited) on James M. Barrie's much-filmed play "The Admirable Chrichton" is flat as a pancake, Norman Taurog's direction is flaccid, and the romance between Crosby and Lombard doesn't generate a spark. We don't expect much of a story in a musical, as long as the numbers are good, but this one was just plain draggy. The only thing that could have saved it would have been bringing in Bob Hope as Bing's rival for the affections of the beautiful Ms. Lombard -- but then that partnership was way down the Road (pun intended).

The genuinely funny banter between Leon Errol and Ethel Merman almost saves the picture. The high point of the show comes early in their wacky, butt-bumping, slapstick dance while singing the goofy song "It's Just A New Spanish Custom". It's a downhill slide from here.

Oh, yes, the pet bear, Droopy. While most people will find his antics amusing, I'll admit to being an old grouch who absolutely hates and despises animal movies. I was hoping against hope, that when the main characters got shipwrecked on what seemed an uninhabited island, they would barbecue that irritating bear! No such luck. Nor did anything else so satisfying happen in this trifle of a movie.

Fast-forward the DVD between the musical numbers, and you may get an entertaining twenty minutes out of We're Not Dressing.

May I?

[Profaine_Angel · 6 February 2003]

I loved it! Bing and Carole were great together. The whole cast was terrific! George and Gracie kinda stole the show, but that just proves how funny they are. One of my favorite scenes is when Bing Crosby is singing "May I" to Carole Lomabard. She pretends to dislike him, but smiles at him when he's not looking , but stops when he looks at her. The whole time she's trying to keep up with it, but starts to smile when he looks at her and frown when he turns away. It's difficult to describe, but when you see the movie you'll understand. Some of the plot doesn't make much sense, and is just plain silly at times, but that just makes it the screwball that it is. The bear seems to be very well trained, it's not suppose to be cruel, though you can't help but be worried, and when it's a guy in a suit, it's funny and suppose to look unreal. My opinion may be great because I'm such a huge fan of Carole, but even if you have no idea who she is, watch it anyways.

Silly but still thoroughly enjoyable screwball comedy musical

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 5 October 2016]

'We're Not Dressing' had a lot going for it, the beautiful tones of Bing Crosby's voice, Ethel Merman's big brassy one, Carole Lombard who is pretty underrated today and died tragically far too early and Gracie Allen and George Burns have delighted in other films they were in.

This may not be one of the best to come out of either of these talents but as a screwball comedy and as a musical it's thoroughly enjoyable and mostly works very well. Its biggest problem is the story, which is thinly sketched and silly (even for a screwball comedy) and has the odd very strange touch that anybody looking for sense should be warned not to expect it. Bing Crosby is also occasionally a little stiff.

On the other hand, 'We're Not Dressing' does look handsome and is charmingly photographed, not one of the most visually beautiful film musicals even but hardly a cheap-looking one either. The music score is energetic and lush, and the songs are great, the highlights being "May I?" and "Love Thy Neighbour". The script is witty, smart and astutely timed in delivery, while the direction has the right lightness of touch without being bland.

No matter the issues with the story, there is a warmth and light-hearted energy that helps still make it interesting. While well-developed characterisation is also not to be expected, the characters are fun enough and don't fall into the traps of being irritating or dull as dishwater.

Lastly, 'We're Not Dressing' boasts good performances from a spirited cast. Crosby not always being comfortable is more than made up by his charming interplay with Lombard and singing like a dream that one doesn't want to wake up, that's how beautiful and otherworldly-like his voice was. Lombard delights and charms effortlessly every time she appears, while Merman sends up a riotous storm in "A New Spanish Custom" and has interplay with Leon Errol coming close to the uproarious.

Burns and particularly Allen are also scene-stealers. This said, some of the most memorable moments of 'We're Not Dressing' is not from a human, adorable and hilarious Droopy comes close to stealing the picture with antics that have to be seen to be believed.

All in all, silly but thoroughly enjoyable. 7/10 Bethany Cox

I agree with DVD-TCMjunkie, this is a strange amalgam

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 25 March 2010]

Wow, what a strange concoction you have in "We're Not Dressing"--a film from the recent multi-disk "Carole Lombard Collection". The film begins aboard a yacht with Bing Crosby as a crooning sailor, a dancing and rollerskating bear, Leon Erol on hand for comic relief, a young Ethel Merman, two money-hungry suitors (one of which is a young and really bland Ray Milland) and a spoiled rich lady (Lombard). Poor Ms. Lombard is a bit overwhelmed by the other acts and sure is upstaged in the first half of the film! There is just so much to distract you from the leading lady.

Due to some driving my the perpetually drunk Erol, the yacht everyone is on sinks but fortunately there is a nearby island. I was amazed that despite everyone nearly drowning and Bing falling overboard without a life jacket, he STILL took time out to sing a number in the water! Now THAT'S a trooper! At this point, the film actually becomes a lot like Lina Wertmüller's "Swept Away", as the rich folks are forced to work for themselves, as working-man Crosby is sick of being ordered around by these rich folks and is now their leader.

Soon, this bizarre cast of characters gets a lot weirder! It seems that Burn & Allen are already on this seemingly deserted island! And, there also happens to be some lambs and a lion wandering about--and no one seems that worried or confused by all this!! Lombard meets George and Gracie and instead of telling the others, she asks for some supplies. Lombard knows that in a month the couple will take everyone back to civilization once their own boat returns to get them but she withholds this from her friends. It seems that she's enjoying the rustic life with her shipwrecked friends as it gives her a chance to be closer to poor guy Crosby--though this plot doesn't last long.

This film is best described as a merging of "Gilligan's Island", "Swept Away" and a 1930s variety show--talk about a very, very contrived and oddball film! Now provided you can turn off your brain COMPLETELY, it is a nice enjoyable trifle. Crosby's singing, as usual, is pleasant and the laughs, while never huge, are there. It's a peculiar melange that the right audience might enjoy--all others will just shake their heads in disbelief!

Painful....just what we need another song?

[kitchent · 2/10 · 13 June 2014]

I'm a big fan of 1930's films, but this one I just didn't get.

First the good things: Carole Lombard

The bad things: Everything else

I should have known better. The comedy and music of the 1930's usually doesn't translate well to my tastes, and this film was packed full. Too much of Bing singing, too much Burns and Allen, and definitely not enough of Carole Lombard, who was much better than this light, fluffy little romp of a film.

I'm on a quest to see some good Carole Lombard films and I was off to a good start with "My Man Godfrey" and "No Man of Her Own" , but this one has set me back a bit.

We're Not Dressing (1934)

[chuckreilly74 · 10/10 · 9 October 2006]

As one of Bing Crosby's earlier works, you must take the make-up and pinned ears with an open mind. In fact, if you want to enjoy this one, just keep an open mind (or illogical one) handy through out the whole picture.

We find ourselves first coming upon a small ocean liner somewhere out in the ocean... It starts off well enough, with an adorable Bing Crosby serenading a more-than-lovely Carole Lombard, lowly deck hand and refined socialite. Lombard is obviously taken with him, but does everything within her power to make him believe otherwise. After an awkward moment with a bear (that has no other standing in the plot other than to create more situations for Bing to sing), Lombard scolds the sailor by slapping him. Naturally, he returns it with a kiss and this ultimately ends with him being sent away, with the loss of his job and wages. What this all is leading to is a shipwreck (how, I still can't tell you), the crew and small group of socialites being marooned on an island, thought to be uninhabited (later you'll see why we wished it were). Now the sailor finds himself in the plus, no longer taking orders but giving them. Obviously, this making it very difficult on the high and mighty Lombard; who sets out to taunt him and string him along after being forced to follow his lead. We all know it must end in love, and it does; but only after a few scuffles and a couple more numbers sung.

As we go through out the picture, Crosby sings his chords out; arguably the best of which being "May I," sung (on deck) to Lombard as she tries to pretend she is not interested in the young sailor. Watch for her to lose concentration: Every time Crosby turns to look at her she frowns, then regains the most endearing smile when he turns away. Lombard, however, loses her place at one point and does vice-versa; making the moment very charming on screen.

There are a few low moments... most involving a chained bear named "Droopy" who parades around the deck at one point on roller skates. The real bear (easily not confused with the imitation, trust me) does give Crosby something to do as he belts out "... I fell in love with her, because she reminds me of you!" He combs the animal reluctantly and is obviously having a hard time handling the thing. At one point it seems as though it will take a shot at Bing's face. Seems like a lot of trouble and risk for something that has nothing to do with the film! Still, I don't know which is more annoying, the bear or the man dressed up as a bear; continuously throwing Bing on deck any time he doesn't sing another one of this movies memorable tunes, "Lovely Little Lady." Wait, I'll up it once more... The island has two naturalist occupants, Gracie Allen and George Burns. Should I go on or do you already know what's coming? OK, I'll give you a quote... "Gracie, you're daffy!" "Oh I love daffy!" "No, I mean your nuts!" "Oh, George I love daffy but can i get it without nuts?" "Gracie I mean you're just plain daffy!" "Now that's what i want... just plain daffy." Shall I stop? I know... it's painful.

Over all, the film is musically and romantically satisfying. Sure, it's strange; but that remains one of the reasons why it retains its charm. It's no Casablanca, but who needs that impeccable plot and well-written dialogue? Not when you can have Bing serenading a man in a bear suit... I highly recommend this film, and have seen it many, many times. It may not be for everyone, but fans of Bing Crosby and early Paramount films will find themselves with appetites aptly satisfied.

It's the same old story where "Anything Goes!"

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 31 March 2014]

Two years before disguising himself as a sailor in the movie version of Cole Porter's "Anything Goes", Bing Crosby played a sailor employed by Carole Lombard on her yacht who yearns to tame the shrew as much as she yearns to be tamed by him. The original "Anything Goes" script intended a shipwreck but the Morotania disaster kibashed that plan. Ethel Merman may not have ended up on a deserted island as Reno Sweeney, but she does here, stealing the musical sequences with a comical dance number called "It's an Old Spanish Custom", sung to her dipsomaniac fiancée, the much older Leon Errol.

The best gags come from Burns and Allen as a scientist and his dimwit wife exploring the island for flora and fauna. Allen is a riot showing Burns her animal trap and mistaking George's description of her as "daffy" as his promise of giving her a box of "taffy". You won't be surprised to learn that she is really looking forward to meeting both Flora and Fauna, who like Godot, never arrive.

A young Ray Milland is one of two broke European princes looking for a wealthy American socialite, having their eyes set on Lombard who really shows her talent for screwball comedy. Bing is a bit more rugged and relaxed here, getting to wrestle with a tame, roller-skating bear (a sight that has to be seen to be believed) and isn't afraid of standing up to the imperious Lombard.

The connections to "The Admiral Crichton" are documented here with a reference to the play, something one of the film's writers (George F. Marion) had forgotten to do a few years earlier with the the less memorable "Let's Go Native!". It is a major shame that la Merm's big production number, "It's the Animal in Me", was cut, although a brief reprise was heard at the end, and the cut footage ended up in the next "Big Broadcast" film.

Rough Seas, But It Comes Ashore Just Fine

[jayraskin1 · 19 November 2011]

The first twenty minutes aboard a ship has little plot, just some passable musical numbers. When the ship goes down the movie picks up and starts to be quite funny. As another poster mentioned, it seems to be the blueprint for Lina Wertmuller's "Swept Away." However, it apparently has its own roots in something called "The Admirable Creighton". Carole Lombard is quite lively and animated here. You can see her acting roots in silent film. She uses her whole body to act. She carries the movie nicely. Bing Crosby is kind of stiff. He developed into a fine comedian, but here he is just a handsome singer. A young and quite pretty Ethel Merman and an older character actor named Leon Errol provide a good bit of the comedy. George Burns and Gracie Allen suddenly show up and basically do some delightful Burns and Allen routines. I grew up on their television series. I did notice that Burns was a lot grumpier and less forgiving of Allen's silliness than he would become 20 years later on television. There are a couple of bits that seem less funny in post-feminist days. Crosby slaps Lombard and she kisses him in return and at another point he seems to threaten her with rape and ties her up. These moments are just a part of the times and don't appear to reflect a misogynist attitude. I thought the best song was Crosby's 'Love thy Neighbor.' I think the film is a must for Lombard fans, Burns and Allen fans and fans of 30's screwball comedies. Others might not like it very much.

Sense of Fun and Suspension of Disbelief Required

[LeonardKniffel · 5/10 · 6 April 2020]

This screwball comedy starring Bing Crosby, Carole Lombard (queen of screwballs), and Ethel Merman is an escapist romp on a desert island that features plenty of music, none of which is much remembered today. Where does the orchestration come from, anyway? All the more reason to see this movie, and "Love Thy Neighbor" ought to be remembered-and practiced-more today. All that's required to enjoy it is a sense of fun and the suspension of disbelief. Crosby's career in films extended over 40 years and he is one of the all-time top box office attractions. --Musicals on the Silver Screen, American Library Association, 2013

Not Bing Crosby's Finest Hour

[view_and_review · 3/10 · 7 March 2024]

For a third time George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Bing Crosby appear together. "The Big Broadcast" (1932) was the best movie the three were in together while "College Humor" (1933) and "We're Not Dressing" are not even worth mentioning.

"We're Not Dressing" began at sea on a yacht which capsized due to a drunken idiot named Hubert (Leon Errol). Before the boat capsized, Doris Worthington (Carole Lombard) and Stephen Jones (Bing Crosby) were beginning the adversarial part of their romance. Doris was a rich girl on the yacht for pleasure whereas Stephen was a sailor on the yacht to work. The two had eyes for each other, but Doris dare not reveal that she had yearnings for a working class man.

When the boat went down six of the passengers and crew wound up on a deserted island. Among the six were Stephen and Doris which allowed them to continue their contentious courtship.

Also on the island for no other reason than comic relief were George and Gracie. I suppose they were a comedy tandem in the 30's much like Amos 'n Andy except far less offensive.

Stephen and Doris's relationship developed to a familiarity such that Stephen forcibly bound Doris to a wood and thatch island home. It was angry, aggressive, and abusive, but it was to put a spoiled rich girl in her place, so it was alright.

Right?

Of course, as always happens with the adversarial and abusive romances, this only made them love each other more.

"We're Not Dressing" was a weak romance coupled with some singing and the unique comedy of Burns and Allen. Watch if you're a Carole Lombard fan or a Burns and Allen fan, but don't watch if you are a Bing Crosby fan. It wasn't his finest hour and even his singing was more stiff and unoriginal.

Free on Odnoklassniki.

Crosby's Two Hits From Movie Revolutionize How Recording Artists Get Paid

[springfieldrental · 8/10 · 8 March 2023]

Singer Bing Crosby was seeing his popularity rise with every record he released. In only his third feature film as the lead, Crosby was teamed up with Carole Lombard in the hit musical comedy, April 1934 "We're Not Dressing." The movie marks something unusual in cinema where a secondary character upstages the main actor. As film critic Paul Mavis notes, "Contrary to the usual standard Hollywood practice of having the 'singee' seem politely interested and no more (therefore not to upstage the singer), Lombard goes through a range of emotions, from attraction to bitter anger at the realization this lowly sailor is getting through to her."

Crosby, Lombard, Ethel Merman and Ray Milland play survivors on a sinking ship who find themselves on an uninhabited Pacific Island. The stuck-up wealthy socialite Doris Worthington (Lombard) has an antipathy towards sailor Stephen Jones (Crosby). But she warms up to him with each song the crooner sings on the island. Loosely adapted from J. M. Barrie's 1902 play 'The Admirable Crichton,' "We're Not Dressing" illustrates a class role-reversal when snooty Doris suddenly finds herself subservient to the 'lower-class' Stephen on the remote island.

Crosby and his managers discovered his appearances in film was a great way to increase his record sales. "We're Not Dressing" produced a pair of hits, "Love Thy Neighbor" and "Goodnight Lovely Little Lady." Crosby is credited in saving the record industry during the Depression while making these Paramount films when he and his recording label Decca readjusted the decades-long practice of payments for artists. A single record was selling for one dollar, a high price for normal struggling families. Decca owner Jack Kapp and Crosby decided to sell a single for only 35 cents and make up the difference by collecting royalties from radio and other avenues instead. Because of the price drop, phonograph records recovered from their slump and sold like hot cakes.

One of the scene stealers in "We're Not Dressing" is Doris' pet, a domesticated bear. When on the boat before its sinking, Crosby puts roller skates on the hind paws of the bear. The hilarious skating session around the yacht's deck riles Doris, who takes out her wrath on Stephen. According to Ray Milland in his biography, the bear's trainer warned any woman on the set to stay away if they're having that time of the month uneasiness. A woman showed up lying about her condition, and the bear went crazy over her, badly mauling the trainer, who eventually died from his injuries.

Apart from the boat's survivors in "We're Not Dressing" were George Burns and Gracie Allen, playing two zoologists on the same island who happen to be studying rare birds. Off-screen, the married couple's radio show, beginning in 1932, was popular nationwide, and was heightened by their film appearances. Singer Ethel Merman also appears, this being her second motion picture. Born Ethel Zimmerman in Queens, New York, she began as a nightclub singer teaming with Jimmy Durante. When she was offered a movie contract under Warner Brothers, Ethel looked for an appealing stage name. Her selection of Gardner or Hunter ticked off her father so much Ethel opted to eliminate the first three letters of her last name to make it more appealing to her dad. She continued to perform on stage while in film and made the Gershwins' "I Got Rhythm" in "Girl Crazy" an instant hit. But Merman was unhappy with the filming process. She invited her family and friends to see "We're Not Dressing's" premier, and when it was finished, Ethel was upset when she saw one of her musical numbers was cut.

During this time, Carole Lombard was dating Russ Columbo after her divorce from actor William Powell. Columbo, who visited her daily on the set, was a rising crooner and had intentions of marrying the actress. He and Crosby would sing duets during breaks in filming. Four months after the release of "We're Not Dressing," while visiting a friend who was a gun collector, Columbo was accidentally shot to death while examining one of the firearms. Lombard had made plans to have dinner with him that evening.

Norman Taurog directed this breezy comedy and some say the style he showed in "We're Not Dressing" by its humor and staging is evident in the early movies he directed for singer Elvis Presley.

Escapism in the Great Depression

[HotToastyRag · 4/10 · 15 November 2018]

The wealthy, spoiled, silly guests on a yacht are forced to slum it with a few of the sailors on the crew when they're shipwrecked and stranded on a desert island in We're Not Dressing. Carole Lombard is being pursued by Ray Milland and Jay Henry, but sailor Bing Crosby catches her eye-and ear. Ethel Merman is engaged to Leon Errol, but she lusts after Ray and Jay. Oh, the woes of the rich and famous! As it that isn't lofty and silly enough, Bing Crosby's biggest fan is a bear cub who throws a fit unless she's getting serenaded by a particular song. There's even a scene where Bing sings to her while grooming her fut. Her jaws aren't sewn shut, and she freely swings her paws, but thankfully, there are no injuries captured on camera.

As silly as this movie is, it's a little bit fun to watch to step back in time. In 1934, smack dab in the middle of the Great Depression, it was wonderful escapism to watch a bunch of rich people on an island with no clue how to make a campfire. It was also a treat to see the radio stars George Burns and Gracie Allen on the screen, keeping up their famous husband-and-wife banter, even most some of the gags make modern audiences roll their eyes. And an even bigger treat was catching the Broadway sensation Ethel Merman in a movie, since she mostly kept to the stage. I adore her, but if you've never seen her in a movie, she's pretty similar to Patsy Kelly.

DLM Warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. When the bear puts on roller skates, the camera tilts suddenly for a few minutes. Also there's a sinking ship scene, and the camera frequently tilts from one side to the other. Those parts will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"