Trocadero

"Trocadero" is a low-budget b-movie made by tiny Walter Colmes Productions. Because of its budget, it has a cast of mostly unknowns and second-tier actors (such as Ralph Forbes, Rosemary Lane and Sheldon Leonard). Lane's voice is pleasant but nothing more and the song and dance acts are of about equal quality. Because of this and the writing, the film just seems okay and nothing more.

When the film begins, Tony Rocadero is about to make some folks famous in his nightclub but he's killed by a hit and run driver. So, in the same spirit as you'd find in "Babes in Arms", they remaining staff decide to make a go of the club in order to honor Tony's memory. At first, the club founders but soon they get a partner, a decent band and the place takes off. Then, in order to create some conflict a couple monkey wrenches are thrown into the mix...and naturally work themselves out in order for a happy ending.

The film is just one adequate but certainly not very good act after another, a few really bad acts and some adequate writing...all resulting in a film with nothing remarkable. Plus, the number of musical acts are too many...and the film sorely lacks plot.

By the way, being out of work, animator Dave Fleischer makes an appearance near the beginning and end. He uses a character similar to his early 'Out of the Inkwell' series...but it really doesn't fit into the film.