Sitting on the Moon (1936) Director: Ralph Staub Studio: Republic Pictures Starring: Grace Bradley (Polly Blair), Roger Pryor (Danny West), Pert Kelton, William Newell, Henry Wadsworth Release Date: July 27, 1936 Runtime: 88 minutes Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound | Live Action Country: United States Language: English Genres: Musical Comedy | Romance | Showbiz | 1930s Hollywood --- Summary: Sitting on the Moon follows ambitious songwriter Danny West and rising starlet Polly Blair as they navigate the glitzy but cutthroat world of 1930s Hollywood. After Danny pens a hit tune that launches Polly’s career, the two are swept up in a whirlwind of romance, misunderstandings, and backroom showbiz deals. As Polly is lured away by fame and fortune, Danny must decide whether to fight for his music—or for the girl who inspired it. With musical numbers, snappy dialogue, and behind-the-scenes drama, the film blends classic Depression-era optimism with the sparkle of old Hollywood dreams. --- Background: Produced by Republic Pictures, Sitting on the Moon was one of the early studio efforts to mix light romance with the spectacle of the movie industry itself—a formula that would soon dominate in films like A Star is Born (1937). It capitalized on the popularity of radio stars and the musical craze of the mid-1930s, featuring catchy original songs and toe-tapping interludes. Grace Bradley, often cast as spirited leading ladies, delivers a charming performance as Polly Blair, while Roger Pryor plays the lovestruck songwriter with earnest sincerity. Though the film wasn’t a major box office smash, it found second life in late-night TV reruns and public domain compilations, appreciated today for its period charm and snappy tunes. --- Trivia: The title song “Sitting on the Moon” was a minor radio hit in the 1930s and was performed multiple times throughout the film. Grace Bradley was married to Hopalong Cassidy star William Boyd in real life and had a brief but notable Hollywood career in musicals and comedies. Pert Kelton, who plays Polly’s wisecracking friend, would later originate the role of Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners. The film offers a lighthearted but somewhat accurate peek into the mechanics of the 1930s music and film industries. Due to its public domain status, the film has been widely distributed on budget DVDs and can often be found on classic film streaming services. The film’s quick pacing and breezy tone were characteristic of Republic Pictures’ efficient B-movie production style. --- Hashtags: #SittingOnTheMoon #GraceBradley #1930sHollywood #MusicalComedy #RepublicPictures #OldHollywood #ClassicRomance #ShowbizFilm #VintageCinema #PublicDomainFilm #DepressionEraMusicals #BehindTheScenes #HollywoodDreams #RadioEraMusic #BlackAndWhiteCinema #ClassicLoveStory #RalphStaub #PertKelton #OldSchoolMusical #1936Movies