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The Duke Is Tops

Play trailer Poster for The Duke Is Tops 1938 1h 12m Musical Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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63% Tomatometer 8 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Duke Davis (Ralph Cooper) is the tireless promoter of his songstress sweetheart, Ethel Andrews (Lena Horne). Duke believes in her singing talent, and, when she gets an offer to perform in New York City, he implores her to accept it. Unwilling, however, to abandon her beau for a rival promoter, Ethel refuses to take the booking. Undeterred, Duke hatches a selfless scheme that, while it may lead Ethel to stardom in the Big Apple, also risks driving her away from him forever.

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The Duke Is Tops

Critics Reviews

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Variety Staff Variety 12/02/2020
[The Duke Is Tops] starts off as a very poor film and winds up as a passable vaudeville show via later half devoted to musical type finale. Go to Full Review Romeo L. Dougherty New York Age 12/02/2020
A very entertaining little vehicle for the talents of Ralph Cooper. Go to Full Review Earl J. Morris Pittsburgh Courier 12/02/2020
You will never forget the singing of Miss Horne in this picture. Cooper gave a splendid performance as the young producer. His many years of experience on the stage Ideally equips him for dramatic roles. Go to Full Review John Kinloch California Eagle 10/25/2019
[New find] Lena Horne... is highly successful. Go to Full Review Sarah Boslaugh Playback:stl 08/20/2016
6/10
...although the production quality is not always high, it captures performances by many contemporary acts including Cats and the Fiddle and the Basin Street Boys. Go to Full Review Phil Hall Film Threat 05/14/2010
2.5/5
Mildly entertaining all-black musical that introduced a 21-year-old Lena Horne. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D @RT35616104 01/08/2024 No he isn't. Not even close. See more deke p @RT96675217 12/19/2020 1938! & it's very entertaining. LENA HORNE! Never heard of it till I saw it late night TV 12.2020 the movie channel See more 01/15/2016 good all black musical See more 07/25/2011 Lena Horne was Amazing & so beautiful in this See more 03/22/2011 Intertaining with the beautiful Lena Horne. See more 05/21/2010 good showcase style movie See more Read all reviews
The Duke Is Tops

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Cast & Crew

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William Nolte

Director

Ralph Cooper

Duke Davis

Lena Horne

Ethel Andrews

Lawrence Criner

Doc Dorando

Monte Hawley

George Marshall

Vernon McCalla

Mason

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The Duke Is Tops

The Duke Is Tops (1938) The Duke Is Tops (1938) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Duke Davis (Ralph Cooper) is the tireless promoter of his songstress sweetheart, Ethel Andrews (Lena Horne). Duke believes in her singing talent, and, when she gets an offer to perform in New York City, he implores her to accept it. Unwilling, however, to abandon her beau for a rival promoter, Ethel refuses to take the booking. Undeterred, Duke hatches a selfless scheme that, while it may lead Ethel to stardom in the Big Apple, also risks driving her away from him forever.
Director
William Nolte
Producer
Harry M. Popkin
Screenwriter
Phil Dunham
Production Co
Million Dollar Productions
Genre
Musical, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 15, 1938, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 11, 2016
Runtime
1h 12m
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