Much has been made of this being the last performance of John Barrymore and the fact that his compromised constitution would lead to his death in 1942. But that does not make this performance compromised, or him a pathetic shell of his former self. In fact, it makes this performance all the more impressive. For comparison, go back to his performance as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet" fully five years earlier. Both are comedic roles. And in both cases, he is acting broadly and loudly. Of course "Playmates" is not a vehicle with the status of the Shakespearian classic, but Barrymore totally buys into the low brow humor and gives in to the silliness, like a trooper. Playing alongside Kay Kyser and "Ish Kabibble" is nothing like sharing the stage with Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer, but Barrymore gives it all.
The film is one of those wartime comedies where the studio throws everything and everyone into the mix, striving for maximum entertainment. Kyser and his band are talented. And they display their wide variety of styles. Their star vocalists, Ginny Simms and Peter Lind Hayes, serve up some of the best moments in the film with their mellifluous tones.
The silly story is about Barrymore turning Kyser into a Shakespearian actor, while trying to hold off the fiery Lupe Velez (who plays Carmen del Toro), the woman who wants all his attention and his name. It's a story that jumps from point to point with its focus on cramming more entertainment into each scene. This is no great film, but it was not meant to be; its function is to allow the diverse talents to exist within the running time and deliver some laughs, punctuated with musical moments. It does that.
The film is one of those wartime comedies where the studio throws everything and everyone into the mix, striving for maximum entertainment. Kyser and his band are talented. And they display their wide variety of styles. Their star vocalists, Ginny Simms and Peter Lind Hayes, serve up some of the best moments in the film with their mellifluous tones.
The silly story is about Barrymore turning Kyser into a Shakespearian actor, while trying to hold off the fiery Lupe Velez (who plays Carmen del Toro), the woman who wants all his attention and his name. It's a story that jumps from point to point with its focus on cramming more entertainment into each scene. This is no great film, but it was not meant to be; its function is to allow the diverse talents to exist within the running time and deliver some laughs, punctuated with musical moments. It does that.