Sunny Skies (May 18, 1930)

Released on May 18, 1930: Jim Grant, college football star, loses his girl and leaves college after getting kicked off of the team and ruining their chances to beat their biggest rival.
Directed by Norman Taurog
Written by Earle Snellfrom a story by A.P. Younger
The Actors: Benny Rubin (Benny Krantz), Marceline Day (Mary Norris), Rex Lease (Jim Grant), Marjorie Kane (Doris), Harry Lee (Papa Krantz), Wesley Barry (Stubble), Greta Granstedt (college widow), Robert Livingston (Dave Randall), James Wilcox (Smith), Eddy Chandler (unknown)
Football and Pretty Girls
Young boys going off to college to play football and play with young girls . . . and young girls going off to college in search of young boys to play with . . . . ahhhh the joys of youth. College freshman Jimmy (Rex Lease) arrives on campus and sees Mary Norris (Marceline Day) on a park bench and instantly falls for her. But Big Man on Campus football star Dave Randall (Robert Livingston) also likes Marceline Day, and a rivalry is about to begin. Both boys chase after her, and both boys are stars on the college football team. Jimmy (Rex Lease) is our leading man and has the upper hand with Mary at first, and his roommate Benny Krantz (legendary comedian Benny Rubin) along with Marjorie Kane provide the laughs and some hip Roaring Twenties song and dance. All looks good for Jimmy and Mary until one night at a college dance Jimmy goes off with a fresh blonde and gets drunk with her in her room. Along with that and poor grades, Jimmy is not permitted to play in the big football game coming up, and Mary decides that he is not the man for her. Things get even worse when Jimmy accidentally punches Dave and breaks his arm, so that neither football star will play in the big game. Jimmy is so upset and ashamed that he leaves college in disgrace, leaving Marceline Day, our leading lady, in the arms of Dave. Next fall Jim goes back to college determined to give up drink and to get better grades. Mary was deeply in love with Jim last year, but this year she is an iceberg to him. Jim gives up hope of winning Mary's heart, but he has learned his lesson and is no longer drinking booze like a fish and acting like he is every girl's dream. If only there were a way for Mary to see his change and come back to him . . . . if only he could get back on the football team in time for the big game this year and maybe make the winning play . . . . Pop a big bowl of white kernel popcorn with warm melted butter on it and cheer for the home team.
![]() Robert Livingston, Marceline Day and Rex Lease in Sunny Skies | ![]() Marceline Day as freshman Mary Norris in Sunny Skies |
![]() Benny Rubin, Harry Lee and Rex Lease | ![]() Harry Lee, as Benny Rubin's papa, gives him last minute advice on the first day of college |
![]() Benny Rubin and Rex Lease spot the girls on the bench | ![]() Benny Rubin and Wesley Barry |
![]() Benny Rubin as freshman Benny Krantz imagines that he can make the big play in the football game | |
![]() Benny Rubin in Sunny Skies | ![]() Benny Rubin is injured and near death |
![]() Benny Rubin interrupts Rex Lease and Marceline Day | ![]() Benny Rubin sweet talks Marjorie Kane |
![]() Benny Rubin tells Marceline Day that her boyfriend is drunk | ![]() Greta Granstedt makes a move on Rex Lease |
![]() Harry Lee and Benny Rubin | ![]() Marceline Day and Rex Lease meet |
![]() Rex Lease introduces himself to Marceline Day | |
![]() Marceline Day and Rex Lease on the first day of college | ![]() Marceline Day listens to Rex Lease as he lays on the blarney |
![]() Marceline Day is mad at Rex Lease for getting kicked off of the football team | ![]() Marjorie Kane and Benny Rubin at the college dance |
![]() Marjorie Kane and Marceline Day talk about finding a boy at college | ![]() Marjorie Kane is college freshman Doris in Sunny Skies |
![]() Marjorie Kane tries to get Benny Rubin's attention | ![]() Marjorie Kane flirts with Benny Rubin |
![]() Marjorie Kane makes Benny Rubin blush | |
![]() Marjorie Kane plays a ukulele and sings about wanting to find a boy | ![]() Marjorie Kane sings on the park bench |
![]() Rex Lease and Benny Rubin look for some girls | ![]() Rex Lease as football fullback Jim Grant |
![]() Rex Lease kisses Marceline Day | ![]() Rex Lease sings to Marceline Day |
![]() Robert Livingston as Dave Randall in Sunny Skies | ![]() Robert Livingston woos Marceline Day in Sunny Skies |