Playmates (1941): cast, story & where to watch
1941 · Film · ★ 4.7
Released in 1941, Playmates is a comedy and music film directed by David Butler, running about 96 minutes. “See Kay go Shakespearean and Ginny go for Kay! See Barrymore get amorous and Lupe go berserk! The happiest, tuniest romantic rumpus the Old Professor ever cavorted in!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Lulu Monahan, the press agent for John Barrymore, is attempting to get a sponsor for a radio program. To that end, she and the agent for bandleader Kay Kyser, plant a story that the great Shakespearean actor, over his heartfelt objections, will teach Kyser how to play Shakespeare, which isn't the same as playing Paducah, which soon becomes evident.
Who’s in it. Playmates stars Kay Kyser as Kay Kyser, John Barrymore as John Barrymore, Lupe Vélez as Carmen del Toro and Patsy Kelly as Lulu Monahan, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.7/10, Playmates has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Playmates page.
If you liked it. Fans of Playmates tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Playmates (1941)?
- In US, Playmates is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Playmates worth watching?
- Playmates holds an audience score of 4.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Playmates?
- Playmates stars Kay Kyser, John Barrymore, Lupe Vélez, Patsy Kelly and Ginny Simms.
- When was Playmates released?
- Playmates was released in 1941, with a runtime of about 96 minutes.