In contrast to the fantasy, escapist romantic dance musicals of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers that also began in the same year (Flying Down to Rio (1933)), his film was an unglamorized look at the tough realities of backstage life behind the footlights.Arguments will start.Should he commit suicide or should he not? People will write in, pleading with him - but NO! No sir, John Doe will remain adamant.The frame freezes.Bound and gagged and only wearing a slip, a would-be bride [Colbert 1] struggles to get out of a closet.In an anxiously-comical scene, he notices on his desk calendar that his apartment is booked for another client""s date that evening.Identifying with her mother""s lack of a dashing husband in her marriage, she longs to provide a romantic substitute (or a religious savior): "Mother, I""m going downtown and send a telegram.