Ready, Willing and Able (1937) in Color — Starring Ruby Keeler & Lee Dixon

Ready, Willing and Able (1937) – Buy This Classic Musical Comedy in Color

Experience the dazzling Ready, Willing and Able (1937) in stunning colorized HD. Directed by Ray Enright, this sparkling Warner Bros. musical comedy stars Ruby Keeler and Lee Dixon as two struggling songwriters, Barry Dodd and Pinky Blair, who desperately need a British star to headline their new Broadway show. When they discover that the famous English actress Jane Clarke (Ruby Keeler) is arriving in New York, they scheme to trick her into signing a contract. But Jane has fled London specifically to escape the stage and enjoy a carefree American holiday. The resulting romantic tangle — with Barry falling for Jane while trying to manipulate her, and Jane falling for Barry while trying to avoid the theatre — leads to delightful comic misunderstandings, sparkling musical numbers choreographed by Bobby Connolly, and one of the most spectacularly bizarre production numbers in 1930s cinema: a giant typewriter on which dancers perform on the keys. Now available as a premium digital download for just €15.00 — DRM-free and yours to keep forever.

Plot Summary

Barry Dodd and Pinky Blair are two aspiring Broadway songwriters whose talent exceeds their luck. They have written what they believe is a terrific new show, but no producer will touch it unless they can attract a major star to headline. Specifically, the producers want an English star — British performers are the current craze on Broadway — and they want the celebrated London actress Jane Clarke.

The problem is that Jane Clarke has just arrived in New York with absolutely no intention of performing. She is exhausted from the London stage, tired of the relentless demands of stardom, and has crossed the Atlantic specifically for an anonymous holiday where she can be an ordinary girl without agents, producers, and audiences pulling at her from every direction.

Barry and Pinky concoct an elaborate scheme to befriend Jane without revealing their true intentions, then gradually manoeuvre her toward their show. Barry takes on the role of romantic distraction, planning to charm the English actress into a relationship that will lead to a signed contract. But his cynical plan goes catastrophically wrong when he genuinely falls in love with Jane — her intelligence, her warmth, her refusal to be manipulated — and she begins to fall for the man she knows as a charming, disinterested American who likes her simply for herself.

When the deception is inevitably discovered, Jane is furious and heartbroken. Barry must prove that his love is genuine while also saving the show that his friends have invested everything in. The resolution comes through a spectacular series of musical numbers that showcase both the songwriters’ talent and the undeniable magic that Jane Clarke brings to any stage she graces.

Cast & Crew

Director: Ray Enright
Stars: Ruby Keeler, Lee Dixon, Allen Jenkins, Louise Fazenda, Carol Hughes, Ross Alexander, Winifred Shaw, Teddy Hart

Ruby Keeler is charming and natural as the reluctant star whose holiday becomes a romantic adventure, displaying both her celebrated dancing skills and a warm comedic presence. Lee Dixon provides energetic support as Barry, and Allen Jenkins delivers his trademark wise-cracking comedy as the scheming Pinky. Bobby Connolly’s choreography provides several show-stopping numbers.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The glamorous world of 1930s New York and Broadway — the art deco nightclubs, the elegant hotels where Jane stays, the backstage bustle of a Broadway production, the spectacular musical numbers with their lavish costumes and inventive sets, and especially the unforgettable giant typewriter production number with its enormous illuminated keys — is magnificently enhanced through expert colorization. The contrast between Jane’s elegant English style and the brash energy of New York gains vivid visual life. The 1930s fashions, the period automobiles, and the lavish theatrical staging are all gorgeously rendered. Now also available in colour. Own this delightful musical comedy for just €15.00 — where the show must go on even when the star wants to go home.

Historical Significance

Ready, Willing and Able is notable for containing one of the most memorably surreal production numbers of the 1930s musical era — the “Too Marvelous for Words” sequence performed on a giant typewriter, where dancers tap on enormous illuminated keys while the song’s lyrics are “typed” across a massive screen. This extraordinary visual conceit, designed by Bobby Connolly, captures the inventive, anything-goes spirit of Warner Bros.’ golden age musicals. The film stars Ruby Keeler in one of her final musical roles before her retirement from Hollywood, and features the team of Johnny Mercer and Richard Whiting providing memorable songs including “Too Marvelous for Words,” which became a jazz standard performed by generations of singers. Through colorization, this sparkling example of 1930s musical entertainment has been preserved for modern audiences.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes – professionally colorized from the original black-and-white
• Audio: Original English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 93 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes – no restrictions on playback
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: What is the giant typewriter number?
A: One of cinema’s most memorably bizarre musical sequences — dancers perform on the enormous illuminated keys of a giant typewriter while “Too Marvelous for Words” is performed, creating a visual spectacle unique in film history.

Q: Is “Too Marvelous for Words” from this film?
A: Yes — this beloved standard by Johnny Mercer and Richard Whiting was introduced in this film and went on to become one of the most recorded songs of the twentieth century.

Q: Is this a good Ruby Keeler film?
A: It showcases Keeler at her most appealing — her dancing, her natural charm, and her comedic timing are all on display in what was one of her final musical film roles.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file in 720p HD resolution, compatible with all major devices and media players.

Q: Is there DRM on this download?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free, meaning you can watch it on any device without restrictions or expiration dates.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchasing?
A: Your download link is available immediately after payment. You can start watching within minutes of completing your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• Go Into Your Dance (1935)
• Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)
• Dames (1934)
• Footlight Parade (1933)
• Return of the Bad Men (1948)