In my lifelong festival viewing all films Monogram, I have been twice 'lucky' to see SPOTLIGHT SCANDALS. Once when I was ten years old. Now, 43 years later I now know why I couldn't remember it. Another comment here offers excellent insight into Monogram production methods and the stars of this haphazard but very entertaining film. But also very forgettable because it is just like a dozen other Monogram films which looks and sounds like this one. However, there is some outstanding elements: Basically the film has a very funny script. Actual 'laugh out loud' quips and reactions... and the casting is effective with Fay and Gilbert making a great opposites/pairing. The ghastly rough delivery from Iris Adrian lends her usual buzz saw brashness which is fun in a sort of hick Eve Arden way and sad clown from the 20s Harry Langdon makes a final appearance - or next to it - as someone's manager. The orchestra scenes are set with the usual plain curtains and a few tables and chairs, but the songs are good and the lively music (of mostly unheard of tunes) interesting only because you might never have ever heard of them before or since. I liked this film but found it also so familiar in its Monogram cheapness.... which, even for a real fan like me is actually wearing thin... like the fabrics here seen again and again, crumpled and draped on anyone and anything.... I think the most outrageous offense is in the genuinely threadbare musical ZIS BOOM BAH which offers a crumpled clumsy finale even out maneuvering Monogram into a cheapness that defies belief. SPOTLIGHT SCANDALS is a near barrel bottom scraper. But a good script and fun characters and good music. The only real scandal evident was the production itself.
Review of Spotlight Scandals
