Rhythm in the Clouds | |
Director: | John H. Auer |
Producer: | Albert E. Levoy |
Story: |
|
Screenplay: |
|
Music: | Alberto Colombo |
Cinematography: | Ernest Miller |
Editing: | Edward Mann |
Distributor: | Republic Pictures |
Runtime: | 62 minutes 53 minutes (edited version) |
Country: | United States |
Language: | English |
Rhythm in the Clouds is a 1937 American film directed by John H. Auer.
Struggling songwriter Judy Walker gets two hours notice to vacate her room. In frustration, she accidentally spills "ink eraser" on her latest rejection letter, which gives her an idea. She alters the letter, giving herself authorization to use the rejecter's luxurious Park Avenue apartment while he, "uncle" Phil Hale, is away.
Then she receives a phone call from the J. C. Boswell Advertising Co.; Boswell is anxious to hear Hale's new music. She decides to submit her own compositions, including "Mad Symphony", adding Hale's name as co-composer. Luigi, Boswell's musical evaluator, does not like her work, but dissatisfied client Maggie Conway does (for her cosmetics-promoting radio show). Boswell's longsuffering assistant, Clyde Lyons, suggests Bob McKay write the lyrics and sing as well. Conway loves the idea, but that presents a problem: he and Hale hate each other (over a woman).
Lyons sees McKay. He is not interested at first, but the music changes his mind. Lyons also learns that McKay is feuding with the unseen next-door neighbor, furious that she is making so much noise. Lyons knows that neighbor is Walker, so he tries to keep them apart. He fails, but they do not realize they are neighbors, and they are attracted to each other.
For the female singer, Lyons suggests Dorothy Day. Conway likes his idea, but after she leaves, Boswell is furious. The woman that McKay and Hale fought over is Day, who is now Hale's fiancée. Fortunately, with Luigi's help, Lyons persuades her to take the job, lying and saying that Hale and McKay have resolved their differences.
When Walker and McKay find out they are the hated neighbors, their budding romance comes to an abrupt end. Further complications ensue when Lyons gets Hale to return early. When he finds out what Walker has done, Hale is determined to denounce her on the first radio performance, but McKay fixes everything and reconciles with Walker.
TV Guide rated Rhythm in the Clouds 2/5 stars and called it a "zesty little picture" that has too few songs to be called a musical.[1]