The Couch Critic Logo
The Couch CriticCouch Critic
TrendingMoviesTV ShowsListsReviewsWhat to Watch
LogoThe Couch Critic

Menu

TrendingMoviesTV ShowsListsReviewsWhat to Watch

© 2026 The Couch Critic

The Couch Critic Logo

The Couch Critic

Your go-to destination for honest movie and TV show reviews from a passionate community of critics. Join the conversation today.

X

Explore

  • Trending
  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Reviews
  • Lists
  • Games
  • About Us

Categories

  • Popular Movies
  • Trending Now
  • Upcoming
  • Airing Today
  • Movie Genres
  • TV Genres

Community

  • Guides
  • What to Watch

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Cookie Policy
  • RSS Feed
© 2026 The Couch Critic.•Built by Hayden Thorn
Cookie Settings
The Movie Database

This application uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.

The Matinee Idol
The Matinee Idol
  1. Movies
  2. The Matinee Idol

The Matinee Idol

1928
56m
Romance
Comedy

Status

Released

Release

1928

Runtime

56m

Where to Watch

Available options inUS

Provider type

Rent

1
Amazon Video

Buy

1
Amazon Video

Ads

1
Tubi TV
Streaming data provided byJustWatch
Updated daily

Storyline

"Here's a real comedy of the theater, which takes you behind the scenes of a thrilling melodrama and shows you how they acted in the old ten-twenty-thirties. You'll learn how to make love and say nice things to your sweetheart."

The famous matinee idol and blackface comedian, Don Wilson, heads out of town to escape adulation. There, calling himself Harry Mann, he accidentally joins a traveling acting troupe, and falls in love with Ginger Bolivar, who runs the troupe and stars in their Civil War melodrama. Don's producer sees the play, and thinks it's a comic masterpiece, and just what Don's Broadway show needs. But when Ginger finds out she's been played for a fool, will she forgive Don? Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. in 1997.

Score Distribution

Details

Status
Released
Runtime
56m
Mar 14, 1928
Languages
No Language
Director
Frank Capra
Frank Capra
Production
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Production Countries
United States of America

Top Cast

9 Cast Members

Bessie Love

Bessie Love

Ginger Bolivar

Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker

Don Wilson - aka Harry Mann

Ernest Hilliard

Ernest Hilliard

Arnold Wingate

Lionel Belmore

Lionel Belmore

Jasper Bolivar

David Mir

Eric Barrymaine

Joe Bordeaux

Auditoning Actor (uncredited)

Sidney Bracey

Sidney Bracey

Don's Valet (uncredited)

Sidney D'Albrook

Sidney D'Albrook

J. Madison Wilberforce (uncredited)

Mary Gordon

Mary Gordon

Woman in Audience (uncredited)

Recommended Movies