Wake Up and Live (1937)

★ 5.3 1h 31m IMDb
Sign in to rate this film

Satire on radio, built around the supposed feud between bandleader Ben Bernie and journalist Walter Winchell.

Wake Up and Live

Where to Watch

Netflix Netflix Watch
Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video Watch
Disney Plus Disney Plus Watch
Max Max Watch
Hulu Hulu Watch
Paramount Plus Paramount Plus Watch
Apple TV Plus Apple TV Plus Watch
Peacock Peacock Watch
Crunchyroll Crunchyroll Watch
Tubi TV Tubi TV Watch
Pluto TV Pluto TV Watch
Plex Plex Watch

Rent / Buy

Rent

Apple TV Apple TV Rent
Google Play Movies Google Play Movies Rent
Amazon Video Amazon Video Rent
YouTube YouTube Rent
Vudu Vudu Rent
Fandango at Home Fandango at Home Rent

Buy

Apple TV Apple TV Buy
Google Play Movies Google Play Movies Buy
Amazon Video Amazon Video Buy
YouTube YouTube Buy
Vudu Vudu Buy
Fandango at Home Fandango at Home Buy

Audience Reviews

CinemaSerf 5/10 Apr 04, 2022
Legend has it that wireless gossiper Walter Winchell and band leader Ben Bernie really did have a running feud. This film somewhat puts that myth to rest, but is does so in quite a quickly paced and amusing fashion. It all centres around "Eddie Kane" (Jack Haley) whom "Alice" (Alice Faye) tricks into singing for Bernie's band. Winchell sees a chance to show up his rival as the would-be singer won't pick up a live microphone so is monikered "The Phantom". Can she get him to fulfil his true potential and, of course, can he get the gal? Winchell, especially, is on good form here with some solid one-liners (though it is very easy to see why he was a radio star; he has virtually no facial expression at all) and the musical numbers are entertaining as the film progresses. The plot is entirely predictable, and the film far too long - but it does take a engaging swipe at radio in the 1930s, with everything sponsored by a soap, or a body lotion - all at the behest of the all powerful Hooper ratings that demonstrated just how powerful radio was as a medium for marketing then. The film is largely forgettable fayre, but at times it does raise a smile.

Similar Movies