Bubbling Over is a 1934 musical comedy film that revolves around a struggling laundry worker named Jane (played by Ethel Waters) and her encounters with a group of gospel singers known as the Southernaires Quartet. The movie starts with Jane, who is living a difficult life, working at the laundromat and dreaming of a better future for herself. One day, while she is washing clothes, she hears the Southernaires Quartet singing at a nearby church and is immediately taken with their music.
Jane's luck takes a turn for the better when she discovers a lucky coin in her laundry. Believing it to be a sign from Providence, she uses the coin to enter a church raffle where she wins a turkey, which she then sells to buy a lottery ticket. With her newfound wealth, Jane decides to pursue her dream of becoming a songwriter and enlists the help of the Southernaires Quartet to assist her in achieving her goal.
Throughout the film, we see Jane and the Southernaires Quartet face various obstacles and setbacks as they try to make it in the music industry. Along the way, they encounter a variety of colorful characters, such as Gus (played by Hamtree Harrington), a ruthless theater manager who tries to exploit Jane's talent for his own gain.
Despite the setbacks, the group perseveres and eventually lands a gig performing on a popular radio show. Their performance is a huge success, and they are offered a lucrative recording contract as a result.
One of the standout features of Bubbling Over is its use of music, which is a central element of the film. The Southernaires Quartet delivers a number of soulful performances throughout the movie, showcasing their incredible vocal abilities and leaving the audience spellbound. Ethel Waters, who was already an accomplished singer and musician by this point in her career, also delivers a number of impressive musical numbers, further adding to the movie's musical prowess.
Overall, Bubbling Over is a delightful movie that combines the charm of a classic Hollywood musical with a timeless message of perseverance and determination. While it may not be as well-known as some of the other musicals of the era, it remains a must-see film for any fans of the genre.
Bubbling Over is a 1934 drama with a runtime of 20 minutes.
