Cock of the Air

(USA, 1932)

Comedy, 80 min, b/w

Directed by: Tom Buckingham

Cast: Chester Morris, Billie Dove, Matt Moore, Walter Catlett

Cock of the Air is a bright, intelligent, sensual romp. It is candy for the eyes and ears, a picture so competent that it transcends its 1931 origins by decades.

We have the ever-sturdy Chester Morris as the womanizing Lt. Roger Craig escaping the gunfire of jealous lovers. This gains his notice with Lilli de Rousseau, a recently deported Paris opera diva now living (under guard) in Italy. Miss de Rousseau is forced from Paris in the opening reel (what's left of it) because her irresistible magnetism imperils the war effort. This is not difficult to believe, as Billie Dove is totally ravishing as Lilli. She epitomizes desire, and the necklines of her gowns look as though the dressmaker ran out of fabric! Lilli sets out to ensnare and deny Lt. Craig, and his mounting frustration sets up increasing hilarity. The dialogue during one of these put-offs is an exchange of current events while Craig wrestles Lilli for a kiss. It's all done with light sophistication and great wit, not a hint of threat. The mood is kept light throughout the picture.

Chester Morris gives Billie Dove a spanking.

Cast (in credits order)
Chester Morris.... Lt. Roger Craig
Billie Dove.... Lilli de Rosseau
Matt Moore.... Terry
Walter Catlett.... Col. Wallace
Luis Alberni.... Capt. Tonnino
Katya Sergeiva.... Italian girl #1
Yola d'Avril.... Italian girl #2
Vivien Oakland.... Irate woman
Emile Chautard.... French ambassador
Ethel Kenyon.... Lilli's companion (as Ethel Sutherland)
Peggy Watts.... Lilli's maid
listado alfabético del resto del reparto:
Lewis Milestone.... Bit


Dirigida por
Tom Buckingham
 
 guión (in alphabetical order)
Charles Lederer
Robert E. Sherwood

Producida
Howard Hughes.... producer
 
Música original
Alfred Newman
 
Fotografía
Lucien N. Andriot
 
Montaje
W. Duncan Mansfield
 
Production Companies
The Caddo Company [us]
Distributors
United Artists [us]
Duración: 80 min
País: USA
Idioma: English
Color: Black and White
Sonido: Mono