Playing Around (1930): Cast & Plot
Playing Around is a 1930 music drama directed by Mervyn LeRoy, starring Alice White as Sheba Miller, Richard Carlyle and William Bakewell. It runs 1 hour 6 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 6m (66 min)
- Director
- Mervyn LeRoy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- First National Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Playing Around About?
The premise of Playing Around without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A breath‑holding drama and a sigh‑inducing romance, this peppy tale follows a New York woman who feels trapped in a dull relationship and a predictable marriage. When she meets a flamboyant playboy with endless money and a passport full of exotic destinations, her world is turned upside down, sparking tension between the comfort of the familiar and the thrill of the unknown.
Playing Around Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- pre code film
- prohibition era
- song
- singing
- song in title
- henchman
- 1920s
- title co written by female
- based on story
- romantic comedy
- honking a car horn
- lighting a cigarette
+38 more Show fewer
- bronx new york city
- musical stage production
- police detective
- bare chested male
- dinner theater
- neighborhood gossip
- childhood sweethearts
- italian restaurant
- the roaring 20s
- armed robbery
- con artist
- female singer
- reference to george white's scandals
- gunshot wound
- telephone booth
- working class woman
- grand central station
- police ambush
- reference to sing sing prison
- observational comedy
- period drama
- dance music
- pop music
- year 1929
- soda jerk
- stenographer
- gangster
- reference to al jolson
- neighbor
- borrowing money
- romantic rivalry
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- whiskey
- tenement
- telephone operator
- speakeasy
- roadster
- prohibition
Playing Around Cast & Characters
Alice White leads the cast as Sheba Miller, with Richard Carlyle as Pa Miller and William Bakewell as Jack. Directed by Mervyn LeRoy; 17 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Mervyn LeRoy
- Alice White as Sheba Miller
- Richard Carlyle as Pa Miller
- William Bakewell as Jack
-
Chester Morris as Nickey Solomon
Also Starring in Playing Around
· 13 more- Robert Homans Pirate's Den Waiter (uncredited)
- George 'Gabby' Hayes Railroad Ticket-Seller (uncredited)
- Lionel Belmore Morgan
- Kernan Cripps Police Sgt. Mulligan (uncredited)
- Maurice Black Joe
- Marion Byron Maude
- Ann Brody Mrs. Fennerbeck
- Nellie V. Nichols Mrs. Lippincott
- Brady Kline Detective (uncredited)
- Carolynne Snowden Pirate's Den Vocalist (uncredited)
- Rollo Dix Nickey's Chum at Table (uncredited)
- Shep Camp Master of Ceremonies
- Jimmy Phillips Minor Role (uncredited)
More from Mervyn LeRoy
More films directed by Mervyn LeRoy, best-rated first: The Wizard of Oz, Waterloo Bridge, Mister Roberts and Quo Vadis.
Playing Around Plot Summary
What happens in Playing Around from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Alice White plays Sheba Miller, a working-class stenographer who dreams of a life beyond her means. Her father, Richard Carlyle, plays Pa Miller and runs a small cigar store, while her devoted boyfriend Jack, a soda jerk who loves her, is portrayed by William Bakewell. He has even asked for her father’s consent to marry, but Sheba hesitates to commit while his wages stay modest and the future feels uncertain.
Full summary
The whole story of Playing Around, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Playing Around?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Who is the actress that portrays the protagonist Sheba Miller?
Playing Around Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “A Bela e o Fera” and “Piernas triunfadoras”.
- Also known as
-
- A Bela e o Fera
- Piernas triunfadoras
- Vertigine del lusso
Seen Playing Around?
Movies Like Playing Around
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Play Girl, Something to Sing About and Playing by Heart.
Playing Around FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Playing Around, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Playing Around?
Playing Around runs 1 hour 6 minutes (66 minutes).
When was Playing Around released?
Playing Around was released on January 10, 1930.
Who directed Playing Around?
Playing Around was directed by Mervyn LeRoy.
More films by Mervyn LeRoy Who is in the cast of Playing Around?
Playing Around stars Alice White as Sheba Miller, Richard Carlyle as Pa Miller and William Bakewell as Jack, among 17 credited actors.
Does Playing Around have a post-credit scene?
No. Playing Around has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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