Expert: Mel - 4/15/2006

Question
Hi -- I'm trying to put a HS instructional unit together on the Great Depression.  I've spent some serious time looking on the Internet, but I haven't been able to find the film (believe it's from the 30's) which contains the musical performance of the song "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries."  Do you know what film it's from?

Answer
Hello Jim,

"Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" was written for the Broadway show "George White's Scandals of 1931". It was recorded by, and became a big hit for, Rudy Vallee in that same year.

However, although the song was later revived in a few films, including "Pennies From Heaven" (1981) and "Fosse" (2001), and was used in the show "Big Deal" (1986), I can find no record of it having been featured in a 1930's film.

Might I enquire why you are so certain that it appeared in a 30's film? Do you know any more about it? Maybe one of the stars. That would be useful in tracking it down.

Cheers..........Mel.

P.S. It's not possible that you are confusing a film "made" in the 30's with one "set" in the 30's, is it?  "Pennies From Heaven", although made in 1981, was set completely in the 1930's and featured many of the songs from that era, including a version of "Cherries" by "LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES" Walt Harrah, Gene Merlino, Vern Rowe, Robert Tebow and Al Vescovo.