Bottoms Up (1934)

Bottoms Up Poster

Promoter "Smoothie" King helps a pair of phonies con their way into a movie company. As Wanda heads toward stardom, she turns more and more from King toward the matinée idol. King must decide between his plans and her happiness.

Film Overview
"Bottoms Up" is an American pre-Code comedy film directed by David Butler and produced by 20th Century Pictures. Launched in 1934, this movie comprises different elements such as humor, romance, and components of the musical genre. The primary stars in the movie are Spencer Tracy, Pat Paterson, John Boles, and Herbert Mundin.

The Setting
The whole plot of "Bottoms Up" is set within the exciting and lively world of Hollywood. The story utilizes the typical rags-to-riches American dream theme to represent an amusing point of view. The movie states hair salon quartet participant-turned-film star Smoothie's unanticipated increase to fame in Hollywood.

Plot
The movie opens with the primary protagonist, Smoothie King (played by Spencer Tracy), leading a barbershop quartet while working as a salesman in St. Louis. He offers a hair-growing tonic named "Sourwood Mountain". When he finds out that his product successfully makes hair grow overnight, he starts marketing it hard, imagining a chance to leave his mundane life and become wealthy.

Healthy smoothie's friend, Elsa (Pat Paterson), whom he's in love with, imagine ending up being a successful starlet. Drama takes place when a distinguished motion picture star, Hal Reed (John Boles), visits their hair salon. Healthy smoothie pulls a fast one on Reed by using the hair development lotion on him, resulting in Reed getting up to a wild mane of hair.

Course to Stardom
When Elsa and Smoothie travel to Hollywood, Reed, who's now in financial obligation to Smoothie for the wonder hair product, helps them get a foot in the door in the movie market. Shake becomes an unscripted film star due to a mix-up on the film set.

Throughout the film, Smoothie attempts relentlessly to win Elsa's heart, even as she succumbs to the beauties of the recognized film star, Reed. This riveting love triangle adds a romantic angle to the otherwise comical plot.

Conclusion
In a twist at the end, "Bottoms Up" reveals that instantaneous fame isn't as glamorous as it sounds. Healthy smoothie recognizes he's unhappy in spite of his popularity and fortune. This awareness leads him back to Elsa, and in a surprise ending, Elsa selects the humble and genuine Smoothie over Reed.

Last Thoughts
"Bottoms Up" is an easy going, amusing take on the everlasting imagine popularity and riches. Through its plot, characters, and funny undertones, the movie brilliantly shows the callous yet magnetic world of Hollywood and the battles of daily people trying to fit into this attractive world. Spencer Tracy's amazing efficiency adds beauty and humor to the film, which is every bit the wonderful, slightly far-fetched funny you 'd get out of the pre-Code era.

Top Cast

  • Spencer Tracy (small)
    Spencer Tracy
    'Smoothie' King
  • Pat Paterson (small)
    Pat Paterson
    Wanda Gale
  • John Boles (small)
    John Boles
    Hal Reed
  • Sid Silvers (small)
    Sid Silvers
    Spud Mosco aka Reginald Morris
  • Herbert Mundin (small)
    Herbert Mundin
    Limey Brook aka Lord Brocklehurst
  • Harry Green (small)
    Harry Green
    Louis Wolf
  • Thelma Todd (small)
    Thelma Todd
    Judith Marlowe
  • Robert Emmett O'Connor (small)
    Robert Emmett O'Connor
    Detective Rooney
  • Dell Henderson (small)
    Dell Henderson
    Lane Worthing
  • Suzanne Kaaren (small)
    Suzanne Kaaren
    Wolf's Secretary
  • Douglas Wood (small)
    Douglas Wood
    John Baldwin