The girl said no 1930 - One-scene Dressler saves the early talkie comedy

IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0020919/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
IMDB rating: 7,9

Director: Sam Wood
Main Cast: William Haines, Leila Hyams, Polly Moran, Marie Dressler

"1930. Silents were dead, talkies were king & it was William Haines' golden Hollywood year. His pictures - he starred in 3 - made enough money at the box-office to make him the top male movie star of that year. The girl said no is one of those films.
It is very much a typical Haines comedy, with lots of silliness based on his boyish character (although he was 30, he plays a college kid). His wealthy father dies, leaving his family penniless and Haines in need of finding money. The plot revolves around his attempts to make good in a new job, where he tries to impress Leila Hyams, the pretty secretary he meets there.
Also in the cast are Francis X. Bushman, Jr. as Haines' rival; Clara Blandick (Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz 9 years later); and the ubiquitous Polly Moran. The inimitable & irrepressible Marie Dressler appears in only one scene, but it's a dandy. She plays a very rich potential client who mistakes Haines for her new doctor, which generates a hilarious slapstick sequence. With this one 10-minute segment, talkie comedy was off to a very good start."

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Remote control 1930 - A William Haines comedy

IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0021294/?ref_=fn_al_tt_7
IMDB rating: 7,6

Directors: Nick Grinde, Clyde Grinde, Malcolm St. Clair
Main Cast: William Haines, Charles King, Mary Doran, Polly Moran

"This William Haines talkie is a fast-moving comedy that features the MGM star as a brash fast-talker trying to break into radio. He meets an old school chum (Charles King) who has a failing radio station. There is also a sister (Mary Doran) Haines is interested in. Haines holds open auditions to bolster the station's stable of talent. Unfortunately, a fake occultist (John Miljan) gets hired and uses the airwaves to pass coded information to his gang about burglaries and bank robberies.
Haines is breezy and very funny as Brennan. He was a unique talent in that he had the looks of a leading man but usually resorted to his "Silly Billy" antics, most of which look ad-libbed. He's a big goof having a ball making movies. In this one, we get the feeling that most of the scenes are 'one-take' wonders. Haines mugs and ad-libs outlandishly as the other actors try to say their lines. Haines also breaks up twice in this film as other actors do their thing.
King has little to do after he sings his song, 'Just a Little Closer'. Doran seems an odd choice for a leading-lady role; she usually played hard-boiled types (as in The Broadway Melody). Miljan is solid as the crook. Polly Moran (hideously made up) has a few good scenes as the radio beauty expert."

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