Something to Sing About (1937)

Directed and written by Victor Schertzinger, Something to Sing About is a rare musical comedy that showcases James Cagney’s singing and dancing talents—far removed from his usual tough-guy roles. Produced by Grand National Pictures, the film was intended to be a prestige project for the fledgling studio, but its commercial failure had lasting consequences.

Plot Summary
Terry Rooney (James Cagney), a popular New York bandleader and hoofer, is invited to Hollywood to star in a gangster film. Studio boss B.O. Regan (Gene Lockhart), wary of egotistical stars, instructs his staff to downplay Rooney’s talent. After filming wraps, Rooney goes on a honeymoon cruise with his fiancée Rita Wyatt (Evelyn Daw), unaware that his film has become a smash hit. When he returns, he’s mobbed by fans and thrust into the chaos of stardom—leading to a satirical exploration of Hollywood’s image-making machine.

Cast Highlights

• James Cagney as Terry Rooney
• Evelyn Daw as Rita Wyatt
• William Frawley as Hank Meyers
• Gene Lockhart as B.O. Regan
• Mona Barrie, Phillip Reed, and James Newill in supporting roles

Behind-the-Scenes Trivia

• Known as “the picture that broke Grand National,” the studio spent over $900,000—a massive sum for a Poverty Row company—but the film flopped
• Parts of the story mirror Cagney’s real-life rise to fame, including his surprise at becoming a star after The Public Enemy (1931)
• Cagney reportedly rehearsed dance numbers with Fred Astaire, showcasing his serious commitment to musical performance
• The film was re-released in 1947 under the title Battling Hoofer
• The ship used in the honeymoon scenes, the M/S Hallaren, later served humanitarian missions during WWII and was scrapped in 1972