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Playmates

Play trailer Poster for Playmates Released Dec 26, 1941 1h 34m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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John Barrymore (John Barrymore) is a washed-up Shakespearean actor so desperate for work that he agrees to teach his craft to bandleader Kay Kyser (Kay Kyser). This bright idea is part of a PR ploy dreamed up by John's manager, Lulu Monahan (Patsy Kelly), who hopes that all the attention lavished on Kay, a popular radio figure, will rub off on her client. As John struggles with Kay, performances abound, with Carmen del Toro (Lupe Velez) dancing a mean rumba.
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Playmates

Critics Reviews

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Aurelio Pego Cine-Mundial A great comedy that I highly recommend. [Full Review in Spanish] Sep 11, 2019 Full Review Elena de la Torre Cine-Mundial It's all too much for our taste. [Full Review in Spanish] Sep 11, 2019 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews John Barrymore's last film is a stinker. Rated: C+ Sep 15, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Denny S A very entertaining film and a good example of the pop culture of the USA just before the war. Mixed feelings about John Barrymore's appearance. An obviously sick man forced to play a part which is a parody of himself is kind of sad. Especially when (in the plot) he is asked to recite Hamlet's Soliloquy and when he does, like magic, you see what made him so famous and acclaimed. Aside from those few moments, John Barrymore playing John Barrymore is hammy to the max, but there is a certain charm in the old boy's ability to steal a scene. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/17/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis John Barrymore (John Barrymore) is a washed-up Shakespearean actor so desperate for work that he agrees to teach his craft to bandleader Kay Kyser (Kay Kyser). This bright idea is part of a PR ploy dreamed up by John's manager, Lulu Monahan (Patsy Kelly), who hopes that all the attention lavished on Kay, a popular radio figure, will rub off on her client. As John struggles with Kay, performances abound, with Carmen del Toro (Lupe Velez) dancing a mean rumba.
Director
David Butler
Producer
David Butler
Screenwriter
James V. Kern
Distributor
RKO Radio Pictures
Production Co
RKO Radio Pictures Inc.
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 26, 1941, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 34m
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