You never know what to expect from Monogram films. Some of their low budget movies are now considered sleeper classics, films at the time made simply to make a quick buck that somehow got noticed as a surprising work of art. Others are entertaining but forgettable, and in the case of this musical, it's instantly forgettable and often annoying. The plotline concerns a radio singer (Gale Storm) who wants to go from her latest gig to college so she can have a real life, but signed against her will to a new contract by uncle Douglas Leavitt. Taking the name of the radio station's secretary Marie Blake, she heads to college where she tries to blend in with the other co-eds, but creates a stir by performing in a local talent show where her voice is instantly recognized over the station. Thanks to a rival co-ed (Claudia Drake), Storm's identity is exposed because of Drake's boyfriend's (Robert Lowery) attraction to her, although Storm seems to be more enamored of the college newspaper editor (Johnny Downs) who is more serious about a future outside of college than the others around him.This has the subplot of the annoying Johnny Duncan often breaking into song with several various voices: one a Gracie Allen squeak, the other a Lionel Stander rasp. His novelty number is hideously wretched, although there's a funny moment when his girlfriend GeGe Pearson tries to rehearse her song for the college talent show and ends up with laryngitis, ultimately forcing the reluctant Storm to go on for her. I will give this film credit for one aspect however concerning the lives of the young students jazzing it up in the war years. In spite of what was going on around the world, their zest for life was unlimited and their music and dancing inspired the development of rock and roll a decade later and continues to inspire musicians today. So those of younger generations can look back and see how their grandparents (or great grandparents) lived when they were in their teens and realize that nothing much has changed but the date and the advancement of technology.

Some folks are fussing about the plot. Sure, it's thin, but it is fun and the picture is a delight thanks to a fine cast headed by the effervescent, Miss Storm. One critic referred to her as a faux Shirley Temple. Nonsense. She was an adorable,talented, easy on the eyes individual and, in this picture, she is a lot of fun. Johnny Downs, a busy and talented man and, my favorite non-star star, Robert Lowery, is always enjoyable to watch. One thing on which we all agree is that Candy Candido is a helluva lot of fun. All in all, "Campus Rhythm" is totally enjoyable. Small budget, small studio, big enjoyment. P.S. They kept talking about a Rawley College. As a North Carolinian I was proud and happy thinking it was Raleigh. Oh,well!

I always had a fondness for Gale Storm since I enjoyed her in the "My Little Margie" TV series in the early 1950's. I had never seen her movies till I just saw a few on TCM cable TV. Pretty, perky Gale is the only really good thing in this movie.This movie is a great example of "suspension of disbelief." Gale's character is the top singer on U.S. radio, who flees radio and her contract to attend college under an alias (she wants to enjoy the life of an average college girl). Even though she is a RADIO star, it seems unbelievable that no one on campus would recognize/suspect who she is especially after it is announced that she is hiding in some unknown college under an alias!I wish to draw attention to one clever scene in this routine movie: how she foils her uncle's attempt to expose her and bring her back to radio. Humorous Uncle Willie (played to good effect by Douglas Leavitt ) follows a lead that she is at a certain college. He sneaks into the girl's gym to find her, but accidentally tears his pant-leg. Gale then comes across him and has him go into the empty girl's dressing room. She says she will return with a needle and thread to sew the pants, which he is to toss out the door when she returns. However, she tells on him to the gym instructor. He tosses out the pants and is about to be booked by the cops, but Gale pleads for him by making a deal with the cops that if he promises to leave town and never return, he won't be charged as a pervert to spare his family scandal.

It's a Monogram musical with 6 songs in 63 minutes. I am almost at a loss at what else to tell you. Here I go.....teen singer Gale Storm has had enough of being 'The Crunchy Wunchy Thrush' which in those days meant 'radio show sponsor's singer' as opposed to today which means 'see your chemist for the right ointment'. Gale skips on her renewal and hotfoots it to minor rural college under an assumed name: Sally something. Upon arrival she is corralled into some fraternity house by 'Buzz" played like Jungle Jim on holiday by look-alike Robert Lowery (BATMAN from the serial of 1943)..... and accosted by "Scoop" the campus newspaper dude. The only highlight are the songs by delightful vocal funnyman Johnny Candy Candido who is so hilarious and effervescent... as he is in every film he appeared in the 30s/40s..eg: ROBERTA and SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT. Gale Storm is as usual her 'older pert Shirley Temple' teen self... but the film is basically dull, simple and forgettable. Even the other three songs make no sense and are un memorable.. as opposed to forgettable. Some contrived farce scenes at the radio station with exasperated squabbling replacing wit are slightly amusing only for their energy and obvious placement in the trailer. I wish I could say more positive things but CAMPUS RHYTHM but I would be out of sync with myself.