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The Half-Naked Truth

  • 19321932
  • PassedPassed
  • 1h 17m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
565
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Lee Tracy and Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)
  • Comedy
  • Romance
A barker at a down-at-the-heels carnival becomes a powerhouse New York publicity man as he transforms a sideshow dancer into a Broadway sensation.A barker at a down-at-the-heels carnival becomes a powerhouse New York publicity man as he transforms a sideshow dancer into a Broadway sensation.A barker at a down-at-the-heels carnival becomes a powerhouse New York publicity man as he transforms a sideshow dancer into a Broadway sensation.
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
565
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Gregory La Cava
  • Writers
    • Gregory La Cava(screen play)
    • Corey Ford(screen play)
    • Ben Markson(from a story by)
  • Stars
    • Lupe Velez
    • Lee Tracy
    • Eugene Pallette
Top credits
  • Director
    • Gregory La Cava
  • Writers
    • Gregory La Cava(screen play)
    • Corey Ford(screen play)
    • Ben Markson(from a story by)
  • Stars
    • Lupe Velez
    • Lee Tracy
    • Eugene Pallette
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 24User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win

    Photos8

    Frank Morgan, Lee Tracy, and Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)
    Lee Tracy and Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)
    Eugene Pallette and Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)
    Lee Tracy and Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)
    Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)
    Lee Tracy and Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)
    Lupe Velez in The Half-Naked Truth (1932)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lupe Velez
    Lupe Velez
    • Teresitaas Teresita
    Lee Tracy
    Lee Tracy
    • Jimmy Batesas Jimmy Bates
    Eugene Pallette
    Eugene Pallette
    • Achillesas Achilles
    Frank Morgan
    Frank Morgan
    • Merle Farrellas Merle Farrell
    Shirley Chambers
    Shirley Chambers
    • Gladys aka Ella Beebeeas Gladys aka Ella Beebee
    Franklin Pangborn
    Franklin Pangborn
    • Mr. Wellburton - Hotel Clerkas Mr. Wellburton - Hotel Clerk
    Robert McKenzie
    Robert McKenzie
    • Colonel Mundayas Colonel Munday
    Mary Mason
    Mary Mason
    • Miss Mason - Farrell's Secretaryas Miss Mason - Farrell's Secretary
    Asta
    Asta
    • Dog in Butcher Shopas Dog in Butcher Shop
    • (uncredited)
    Frank Austin
    Frank Austin
    • First Man with Guilty Conscienceas First Man with Guilty Conscience
    • (uncredited)
    Brooks Benedict
    Brooks Benedict
    • Lion Gag Congratulatoras Lion Gag Congratulator
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Dow Clark
    Charles Dow Clark
    • Sheriffas Sheriff
    • (uncredited)
    James Donlan
    • Lou - Press Agentas Lou - Press Agent
    • (uncredited)
    Jay Eaton
    Jay Eaton
    • Hotel Desk Clerkas Hotel Desk Clerk
    • (uncredited)
    Bess Flowers
    Bess Flowers
    • Miss Flowers - Bates' Secretaryas Miss Flowers - Bates' Secretary
    • (uncredited)
    Theresa Harris
    Theresa Harris
    • Emily - Teresita's Maidas Emily - Teresita's Maid
    • (uncredited)
    Thomas E. Jackson
    Thomas E. Jackson
    • Marshall - Farrell's Assistantas Marshall - Farrell's Assistant
    • (uncredited)
    Si Jenks
    Si Jenks
    • Rube with Beard in Audienceas Rube with Beard in Audience
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Gregory La Cava
    • Writers
      • Gregory La Cava(screen play)
      • Corey Ford(screen play)
      • Ben Markson(from a story by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A barker at a down-at-the-heels carnival becomes a powerhouse New York publicity man as he transforms a sideshow dancer into a Broadway sensation. —David S. Smith
    • screwball comedy
    • sideshow
    • carnival
    • theatrical producer
    • show business
    • 11 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A million candle-power romance loaded with laughter (original ad)
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Passed
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Composer Max Steiner plays the conductor of the Broadway show. (He also can be seen conducting the studio orchestra in the opening titles of RKO's "Girl Crazy" the same year).
    • Goofs
      Shirley Chambers' onscreen character name is "Gladys," but she says her name is "Ella Beebee." She is never called Gladys.
    • Quotes

      James 'Jimmy' Bates: You want to go on the stage, doncha?

      Gladys, aka Ella Beebee and Eve: I don't know whether I do or not.

      James 'Jimmy' Bates: Has your name ever been on a marquee?

      Gladys, aka Ella Beebee and Eve: What's a marquee?

    • Connections
      Featured in Great Performances: Music for the Movies: The Hollywood Sound (1995)
    • Soundtracks
      O! Mister Carpenter
      (1932) (uncredited)

      Lyrics by Edward Eliscu

      Music by Harry Akst

      Performed several times by Lupe Velez, often with Lee Tracy on piano

      Also used as background music

    User reviews24

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    a carny ride of the screwball variety
    I was first attracted to "The Half Naked Truth" by the reputation of Lupe Velez. I had encountered her name linked in a romantic but ultimately tragic way to Gary Cooper. They were both reputed to be promiscuous and she at least to be violently jealous. He was mentioned in connection also in her suicide in that he tried to help her but as a married man who had long moved on but remained friends. Further reading suggested she had a very tough childhood the child of a prostitute who would turn tricks herself. So I checked out the movie out of curiosity about her.

    As mentioned by other reviewers , Lee Tracy is a driving force in this picture, as the hyper-active scheming cunning press agent, and his pace and presence swept me along in the fun. Yes, his character is a scoundrel. Yet he is an entertaining one that gives a twisted kind of value for his con. That value is delivered by the sexy and always entertaining Velez, she is the payoff that makes most forget that there is a con. However, Jimmy Bates is not just using her he's making her the toast of Broadway.

    This story, an early screwball comedy, presents us with two true to life screwballs who create a kind of chemistry that makes a molecule out of elements. When they are together fighting or scheming or making love, sparks are in the air. This is because Velez really is a Mexican spitfire and she gives as good as she gets. Just as Bates is ready to propose to her he discovers her making time with the big-time producer. She also plays a fine fake Princess when he asks it of her. They practically drive each other through the scenes with their energy bouncing off each other and this makes the half naked truth quite a romp.

    The supporting cast provide strong support. Eugene Palette takes the sidekick role even further in that he has his own operation going on with chamber maid Shirley Chambers, and he ultimately moves the story along both in the beginning and the end. This is an underrated gem, a veritable diamond in the rough.
    helpful•19
    2
    • shane_604
    • Mar 11, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 16, 1932 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Phantom Fame
    • Filming locations
      • RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • RKO Radio Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 17 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Forgotten Pre-Codes: "Take a Chance" (1933)
    Dec 22MUBI

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