''Just an Echo'' is a 1934 Paramount short starring
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...
and directed by Arvid E. Gillstrom. This was the second of two short films Crosby made for Paramount in May / June 1933, the other being
Please
''Please'' is a word used in the English language to indicate politeness and respect while making a request. Derived from shortening the phrase "if you please" or "if it please(s) you", the term has taken on substantial nuance based on its in ...
.
Background
Crosby had been working in
radio
Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmit ...
from January to March 1933 in New York where he was using the song “Just an Echo in the Valley” as the closing theme for his show. He returned to Hollywood in April 1933, to film College Humor. After completing that assignment, he commenced filming two short films for Paramount on May 24, 1933 with exteriors being done at
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park ( ) is an American national park in California, surrounded on the southeast by Sierra National Forest and on the northwest by Stanislaus National Forest. The park is managed by the National Park Service and covers an ar ...
. Both of the songs he featured in ''Just an Echo'' had been sizeable hits for him in 1933 with “Just an Echo in the Valley” reaching the No. 2 position in the charts of the day.
Cast
* Bing Crosby
*
Mary Kornman
Mary Kornman (born Mary Agnes Evans, December 27, 1915 – June 1, 1973) was an American child actress who was the leading female star of the ''Our Gang'' series during the Pathé silent era.
''Our Gang''
She was born as Mary Agnes Evans, the ...
*
Vernon Dent
Vernon Bruce Dent (February 16, 1895 – November 5, 1963) was an American comic actor, who appeared in over 400 films. He co-starred in many short films for Columbia Pictures, frequently as the foil and the main antagonist and ally to The Thr ...
*
Carl Harbaugh
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Carl Harbaugh ( – February 26, 1960) was an American film actor, screenwriter and director.
Biography
On Broadway, Harbaugh performed in ''The Greyhound'' (1912) and ''The Bludgeon'' (1914).
He was married to Frances Lawson Bouis (? - ...
* Alyce Ardell
Plot
Crosby is cast as a ranger in Yosemite Valley. When he sees a girl, played by Mary Kornman, smoking in her car in a forbidden area he takes the cigarette from her. However when she starts the car suddenly, it scares his horse which gallops off without its rider.
Arriving at camp dusty and weary after a long walk, he again finds the girl smoking and angrily takes the cigarette away from her. His Captain arrives to see
the cigarette in Crosby's hand and admonishes him and Crosby takes the blame. The girl has him assigned to do things for her, such as unpacking her baggage, shining her boots, etc., while Vernon Dent is attracted to her girlfriend.
Mary Kornman's character proves to be the Captain's niece and though Crosby falls for her, he does not show his feelings. In order to get his attention, the girl jumps into the lake and Crosby duly rescues her. There is a happy ending with the two of them on horseback, and Crosby reprising ‘Just an Echo.’
Reception
Variety
Variety may refer to:
Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats
* Variety (radio)
* Variety show, in theater and television
Films
* ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont
* ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
commented: “In between the light romantic plot developments, Crosby croons a couple of numbers, with ‘Just an Echo’ the tune featured. Lacks the punch of a trip hammer but agreeable shorts diversion for all.”
Jimmy Campbell and Reg Connelly
Jimmy Campbell (born James Alexander Campbell-Tyrie; 5 April 1903–19 August 1967) and Reg Connelly (born Reginald John Connelly; 22 October 1895–23 September 1963) were English songwriters and Music publisher (popular music), music p ...
)
* "You’re Beautiful Tonight, My Dear” (
Carmen Lombardo
Carmen Lombardo (July 16, 1903 – April 17, 1971) was lead saxophonist and featured vocalist for his brother Guy Lombardo's orchestra. He was also a successful composer. In 1927, Carmen Lombardo was the vocalist of the hit record Charmaine, perf ...