College Humor Information

College Humor is a 1933 American musical comedy film directed by Wesley Ruggles and starring Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Richard Arlen, Mary Kornman and Mary Carlisle. Based on a story by Dean Fales, the film is about a college professor and the school's star football player who become rivals for the same beautiful coed. Released by Paramount Pictures, the film co-stars George Burns and Gracie Allen.

Plot

Barney Shirrel (Jack Oakie) starts his first semester at Mid West University and works his way up in the fraternity with the help of Tex Roust (Joe Sawyer) and Mondrake (Richard Arlen), an alcoholic college football star. Barney is passionate about engineering and the law, and between his varied studies, football, and the fraternity, he neglects his girl friend Amber (Mary Kornman).

In the next term, Mondrake gives his class sweater to Barney's sister Barbara (Mary Carlisle). His drinking problem intensifies, however, when he learns that Barbara is falling in love with Professor Danvers (Bing Crosby), the singing drama teacher. When Mondrake fails to show up at an important football game against a rival university, Danvers finds him in jail. With the school's reputation at stake, Danvers has him released and takes him to the football field in time to play in the game.

Afterwards, Danvers is called before the college president (Lumsden Hare). Although rivals for Barbara's affections, Danvers stands up for Mondrake. The college president expels Mondrake for drunkenness and forces Danvers to resign because of his involvement in the matter. Feeling guilty over causing Mondrake's expulsion, Barbara proposes marriage to him. Later, however, she admits that she is not in love with him, but with Danvers. Mondrake bows out of the relationship, and Barbara rushes to Danvers' side before he leaves.

During the next term, Barney has followed Mondrake's example and taken up drinking and smoking, which is not appealing to Amber. At the big football game, Barney is in sorry shape. Mid West is losing until he receives inspiration from Tex, who has returned to watch the game. After being knocked out, Barney recovers and wins the game for Mid West.

Some time later, Barney and Amber get married and they move to his father's dairy, where Barney works his way up from the lowest position. Barney and Amber enjoy listening to Danvers singing his song on the radio.

Cast

• Bing Crosby as Professor Frederick Danvers
• Jack Oakie as Barney Shirrel
• Richard Arlen as Mondrake
• Mary Carlisle as Barbara Shirrel
• George Burns as George
• Gracie Allen as Gracie
• Mary Kornman as Amber
• Joe Sawyer as Tex
• Lona Andre as Ginger
• Jimmy Conlin as Dr. Mandel
• James Donlan as Marcus Lafflin
• James Burke as Cromwell Dexter
• Edward J. Nugent as Whistler
• Lumsden Hare as College president
• Grady Sutton as Timid freshman
• Robert Quirk as Bill
• Jack Kennedy as Police Captain
• Churchill Ross as Student with Glasses

Production

Soundtrack

• "Down the Old Ox Road" (Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow) by Bing Crosby, Jack Oakie, Mary Kornman, and chorus
• "Learn to Croon" (Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow) by Bing Crosby
• "Moon Struck" (Arthur Johnston and Sam Coslow) by Bing Crosby