weezeralfalfa Review of Professional Sweetheart

Professional Sweetheart (1933)

Talented cast does the best with a wacky script

[6/10 · 10 February 2018]

Supposed to be a light romantic comedy satirizing several aspects of radio programs. Ginger Rogers, in her first RKO film, plays an ex-orphan who has been remade into 'the Purity Girl'(Glory Eden), singing and talking on the radio program sponsored by Ippsie Wippsie wash cloth, owned by Sam Ipswich(Greggory Ratoff). She is billed as a girl who doesn't do any of the usual 'sinful' things of girls her age. In fact, the company insists that she actually live up to her image 24 hr. a day, something she resents, since such a life is very dull to her. Thus, she balks at signing a 5 year contract to continue this lifestyle. This is a satire on manufactured squeaky clean images of radio stars promulgated by sponsors and studio bosses. Another bit of sarcasm is directed at radio sponsors, whose often inane jingles tells the listener nothing important about their product. Also, obviously, this is a simple inexpensive item which is not bought very often., thus is of low value for expensive advertisement. In later years the occasional film(as "Always Fair Weather" satirized similar commercials on TV. Interestingly, the word 'television' is mentioned once, suggesting that it was a recognized term 15 years before it was commercialized, having been invented already. There are a few scenes that would have been censored out by the Production Code going into effect late the next year. Several times, Ginger removes her dress to show her underwear, even dancing around in it. Nothing special for today's audiences, but considered daring at that time. What about the brief spanking scene? I don't know how often such scenes were censored out once the Production Code went into full effect, but I do know that the occasional film slipped through, as in "Frontier Gal", "Across the Wide Missouri", "McClintock", and "Kiss Me Kate". I'm surprised such scenes were allowed in the era of strict censoring. After the women's lib movement, I haven't noticed any such incidents.....Toward the end, Ginger signs a contract with the Kelsey dish rags company , to continue her radio singing, because they allowed her to cheat on her 'Purity Girl' image. Her new husband, Jim(Norman Foster) simultaneously signed a contact with the Ippsie Wippsie company to recite poetry over the radio. But, he insisted on his wife singing between his poetry readings. This problem was solved by a merger of the two companies. Yes, very silly, as is a good part of the film in general. But, it's seldom really funny, which is the main problem with this film. The other featured players include Zasu Pitts, who provides a bit of humor, Frank McHugh, Allen Jenkins, swishy Frank Pangborn, Edgar Kennedy, and Frank Kalrien. See it on YouTube