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Rockabye

  • 1932
  • Passed
  • 1h 8m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
612
YOUR RATING
Rockabye (1932)
Tragic RomanceComedyDramaRomance

Actress Judy Carroll, from the gas-house district has been trained, educated and developed so well by her manager, that not even the publicity-seeking world of the theater has guessed her an... Read allActress Judy Carroll, from the gas-house district has been trained, educated and developed so well by her manager, that not even the publicity-seeking world of the theater has guessed her antecedents. But she has not loved well or wisely as she learns when she tries to adopt a ba... Read allActress Judy Carroll, from the gas-house district has been trained, educated and developed so well by her manager, that not even the publicity-seeking world of the theater has guessed her antecedents. But she has not loved well or wisely as she learns when she tries to adopt a baby.

  • Directors
    • George Cukor
    • George Fitzmaurice
  • Writers
    • Jane Murfin
    • Lucia Bronder
    • Kubec Glasmon
  • Stars
    • Constance Bennett
    • Joel McCrea
    • Paul Lukas
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.6/10
    612
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • George Cukor
      • George Fitzmaurice
    • Writers
      • Jane Murfin
      • Lucia Bronder
      • Kubec Glasmon
    • Stars
      • Constance Bennett
      • Joel McCrea
      • Paul Lukas
    • 12User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos37

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    Top cast21

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    Constance Bennett
    Constance Bennett
    • Judy Carroll
    Joel McCrea
    Joel McCrea
    • Jacobs Van Riker Pell
    Paul Lukas
    Paul Lukas
    • Antonie de Sola
    Jobyna Howland
    Jobyna Howland
    • 'Snooks' Carroll
    Walter Pidgeon
    Walter Pidgeon
    • Al Howard
    Clara Blandick
    Clara Blandick
    • Brida
    Walter Catlett
    Walter Catlett
    • Jimmy Dunn
    Virginia Hammond
    Virginia Hammond
    • Mrs. Van Riker Pell
    J.M. Kerrigan
    J.M. Kerrigan
    • Fagin
    June Filmer
    June Filmer
    • Elizabeth
    Veda Buckland
    • Mrs. Evans
    • (uncredited)
    Richard Carle
    Richard Carle
    • Doc
    • (uncredited)
    Lita Chevret
    Lita Chevret
    • Party Guest
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Dow Clark
    Charles Dow Clark
    • Mr. Farley
    • (uncredited)
    Sterling Holloway
    Sterling Holloway
    • Speakeasy Patron
    • (uncredited)
    Virginia Howell
    Virginia Howell
    • Mrs. Bronson
    • (uncredited)
    Edgar Kennedy
    Edgar Kennedy
    • Water Wagon Driver
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Middleton
    Charles Middleton
    • District Attorney
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • George Cukor
      • George Fitzmaurice
    • Writers
      • Jane Murfin
      • Lucia Bronder
      • Kubec Glasmon
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews12

    5.6612
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    Featured reviews

    Michael_Elliott

    Poor

    Rockabye (1932)

    * 1/2 (out of 4)

    Growing up trashy but turned into a lady, an actress (Constance Bennett) wants to adopt a child but isn't allowed after her past is brought up in a court trial. This is an early film from George Cukor that really doesn't have any of the charm or spirit that his later films have. The film is incredibly slow moving and the 67-minute running time feels longer than three hours. Bennett is good in her role but she doesn't have a lot to work with and Joel McCrea is wasted as is Walter Pidgeon. With a cast like this you'd expect a lot better.
    4bkoganbing

    Lucky on stage, Unlucky in love

    Rockabye is both the title of this film and the title of a play that society writer Joel McCrea wants Constance Bennett to star in. She's a hit in the play, the movie left a bit to be desired.

    This movie is strictly Connie's show and she has three men panting after her. First is Walter Pidgeon who is a political fixer of sorts who is on trial for bribery. Her relationship with him causes her to be subpoenaed as a witness by District Attorney Charles Middleton. Though Pidgeon is acquitted both their reputations have suffered. As a result the baby she has adopted is taken from here by the blue noses who run the Bureau of Child Welfare. What this crowd might have done with Angelina Jolie or Madonna today is something to contemplate.

    Her second man is agent Paul Lukas who suggests a nice long European trip till the scandal talk dies down which she does and where she meets McCrea. His character seems to be based on that real society playwright George Kelly, uncle of Grace. He writes a play that proves to be her biggest hit.

    Connie's lucky in her career on stage, but singularly unlucky in love. The rest of Rockabye will show that should one care to view it.

    Bennett and McCrea were a screen team of sorts doing four films including this one in the early Thirties. According to Tony Thomas in the films of Joel McCrea and THE authority on such matters Robert Osborne, the film was originally shot with Phillips Holmes in Joel's role, but Connie got George Cukor the director to re-shoot her scenes with McCrea. Personally in this somewhat maudlin film I think that Phillips Holmes might have been done the real favor.

    George Cukor who usually had such a good touch in these 'women's' pictures went off the mark in this early work of his.
    6blanche-2

    a major star of the '30s and lots of soon-to-be stars in this early Cukor

    Possibly because her heyday was 70+ years ago, the beauty and glamor of Constance Bennett is not mentioned much today. It's a pity, because she was a vivacious film presence and remained so until her death in 1966. Lana Turner was a bit taken aback when, on the set of Madame X in 1965, she first saw the woman who was to play her formidable mother-in-law - a gorgeous Bennett. If Turner was to wear mink, Bennett wanted sable and got it. Unfortunately, she died shortly after the film's completion.

    Rockabye is a 1932 film about an actress with a certain reputation. She has three suitors - her ex-fiancée, Walter Pidgeon, whose trial begins the film, in a very small role, youthful Joel McCrea as a married playwright, and her agent, played by Paul Lukas. Directed by Cukor, it's an interesting film (and I believe pre-code), fueled by Bennett's performance, who is especially charming in scenes with the child. She also does all her own singing.

    This is a good one to catch on TCM.
    6kmk-3

    Some girls want to have it all!

    This enchanting 1933 movie's series of remarkable moments -- a courtroom trial where a blonde Broadway actress actually defends a former "friend;" realistic playtime with a darling little girl; exuberance in a speakeasy, with old chums; a joyously funny, sexy scene in a kitchen; and much more -- are simply delightful. The plot doesn't do justice to the energy and excitement generated by Constance Bennett, Joel MacCrea, Paul Lukas and many others... she's a "Gashouse" neighborhood girl who has made herself into a lady, an actress who searches for love through family, children, travel, a new man, her work, etc., and he's an old-money college-boy playwright with a strong social conscience. And her agent loves her... But see the movie for its pleasures and overlook the occasional creakiness -- it's an unexpected treasure.
    8ronrobinson3

    The film is "good" but it is made "great" because of Constance Bennett.

    When you are told that you must "do the right thing", who is the one that determines what the "right thing" is? If it affects your future happiness, shouldn't you be allowed to be the judge?? That is the moral question asked in this film and it holds up well today.

    The film is worth watching for Constance Bennett alone. She is natural and plays the part perfectly. Joel McCrea is always charming and allows her to shine in each of her scenes by giving Bennett exactly the acting support she needs.

    McCrea is a playwright who has written a play about a woman's quest to adopt a baby. It offers the leading role to Bennett, but he does not realize how much the play parallels her actual life. It is hinted at that the child she is seeking to adopt is her love child, but it is not certain that is the fact. McCrea is married and about to be divorced and free. They fall in love and she sees a future with him and their own children.

    All seems so happy, but McCrea has an issue from his past that forces Bennett to make a life changing decision. I won't spoil the climax, but it is a good one and Bennett acts her role perfectly.

    The film is "good" but it is made "great" because of Constance Bennett. She turns this into a Classy Classic!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      RKO bought the rights of the play from Gloria Swanson. Director George Fitzmaurice was borrowed from MGM and Phillips Holmes (in the role later played by Joel McCrea) from Paramount. The finished film was considered so bad that George Cukor was summoned by Selznick to direct two weeks of retakes, with McCrea taking over Holmes'role.
    • Quotes

      Jacobs Van Riker Pell: Yes, I wanna know all the things you like most.

      Judy Carroll: Chinchilla, smelly cheese, oh boy, that first cigarette in the morning, millions of divine slippers, the first kiss after the quarrel, pretzels, having the back of my neck rubbed, the smell of new luggage, Debussy's music, and colored babies. And you know what?

      Jacobs Van Riker Pell: What?

      Judy Carroll: Toy balloons. You know I've never had a toy balloon and I've wanted one all my life.

      Jacobs Van Riker Pell: I bet you've never had a colored baby, either.

      [laughs]

    • Soundtracks
      Till the Real Thing Comes Along
      (uncredited)

      Written by Edward Eliscu and Harry Akst

      Sung by Constance Bennett as "Till the Right Man Comes Along" with piano accompaniment

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 25, 1932 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • French
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Free, White and 21
    • Filming locations
      • RKO-Pathé Studios - 9336 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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