MartinHafer If you're looking for a subtle film, then I suggest you not watch "Playing Around". It has a very heavy-handed moralistic plot and it practically bashes you over the head with its message.When the film begins, Jack (William Bakewell) takes his date, Sheba (Alice White), to a night club. But he's shocked at the prices and can't possibly afford the place on his salary...which is understandable. What isn't understandable is the drip, Jack, insisting they just go home. Not surprisingly, Sheba is NOT happy about this and a fast-talking playboy, Nicky (Chester Morris) notices...and swoops in to impress the pretty lady. Soon Nicky and Sheba are dating...but trouble looms as Nicky is a cheap crook...and ends up shooting Sheba's father!!! It's the most insane of coincidences, that's for sure!The coincidence is bad enough...but the film is so obvious and amateurishly written that I won't recommend you watch it. Not a terrible film exactly...but far from a good one! It's a shame as I usually love Chester Morris films.

MikeMagi "Playing Around" was obviously intended as a silent movie (note the screen credit, "titles-- silent version.") But with the advent of sound, First National quickly converted it to an all-talking and sometimes singing-and-dancing thriller. When we meet sassy tenement girl Alice White, she's dating gormless William Bakewell whose height of ambition is a raise to $35 a week. Then she's smitten with playboy Chester Morris unaware that his only means of support is an occasional stick-up. His next robbery stretches the long arm of coincidence to the breaking point. But director Mervyn Leroy doesn't let anything as trivial as the plot detract from the over-the-top musical numbers. And the result is surprisingly entertaining, especially for a movie made in 1929 and released in 1930.

classichollywoodbeauties Beautiful blonde flapper Sheba Miller (Alice White) wins a loveliest legs contest and is pursued by shady gangster Nickey Solomon (Chester Morris). She quickly dumps her poor boyfriend Jack (William Bakewell) to be with the handsome Nickey. Although Sheba thinks Nicky is rich he is actually deeply in debt.*** SPOLERS ***Desperate for cash Nickey robs a cigar store owned by Sheba's father and ends up shooting him. The only witness was Sheba's ex-boyfriend Jack. Nickey tries to get out of town but is caught by the police at the train station. Sheba reunites with Jack and accepts his marriage proposal.Alice White gives a delightful performance as Sheba. She was a very beautiful and talented actress who deserves to be remembered today. One of the highlights of this film is Alice singing You Learn About Love Every Day. There were always rumors that Alice's singing voice was dubbed in her films but she sings this one live on stage.

kidboots First National had a lot of faith in feisty Alice White - enough to give her the lead in "Playing Around". It was based on the story "Sheba" by Vina Delmar who had become an overnight sensation with her novel "Bad Girl" - she then proceeded to shock America with stories like "Sheba" and "Pick Up". Alice White had once been a secretary to Joseph Von Sternberg and later to Charlie Chaplin but her bubbling personality and cute looks couldn't keep her out of the movies - especially in Hollywood!!! She was First Nationals answer to Clara Bow but unfortunately her career was over before it got started. 1931, the year after "Playing Around" saw her in her last starring role "The Naughty Flirt" and after that she was reduced to supporting roles.The movie starts off with a rousing number - "You're My Captain, Kid". It is part of a cabaret act set on a pirate ship - there is singing, dancing and exotic acrobatics. Sheba (Alice White) is taken there by her boyfriend Jack (William Bakewell) but she is turned off by his "penny pinching" comments - she wants the high life. Just as they are about to leave she impulsively enters a "legs" competition and wins. Her singing of "You Learn About Love Every Day" is cute and catches the eye of one of the judges, Nicky Solomon (Chester Morris) much to Jack's disgust - he doesn't like seeing her on display. He accuses her of "playing around" and not wanting to settle down.Nicky finds Sheba on the sidewalk, having missed her bus and takes her to dinner and a show. Sheba is dazzled by his flashiness and fancy car but Nicky is a fake. He has no money and relies on petty robberies to keep him supplied with cash. One of these jobs takes him to Sheba's father's drug store where he shoots the elderly man in cold blood. There is an eye witness - Jack, who was unnoticed in a phone booth. Sheba is unaware that her father has been hurt but Jack is on the ball and by some smart detective work brings the cold blooded Nicky to justice.This movie had a pretty good story and while Alice White may not win any acting awards she was very cute, as was Marion Byron, who had a small part as Maudie, a perky switchboard operator. Byron brightened up many movies of this vintage. Chester Morris was definitely on his way to better things. The same year he starred in "The Divorcée" and "The Big House".Recommended.