Directed by the mysterious Austrian, Leo Mittler, credited with the direction of eighteen movies between 1926 and 1936 (including one short and three foreign-language versions), this movie is a must-see for all Stanley Lupino fans. In the movie with him are Sally Gray (as a character called "Sally Gray". Sally also co-starred with Lupino in his 1936 stage musical Over She Goes and in the 1941 London stage presentation of Lupino's Lady Behave. He died on June 10, 1942). Also prominently cast here is Roddy Hughes. (Despite his natural charisma and massive presence, Hughes was a bit of an oddball who would accept any role, no matter how small or fleeting. He was also one of the very first actors of repute who appeared on TV. Way back in 1938, he starred in Bardell Against Pickwick). Like his daughter, Ida Lupino, Stanley was a producer as well as a lead star, and in this one he didn't spare the cash assembling a fine support cast as well as a grand array of tuneful songs. Although the plot manages to be a bit silly as well as somewhat conventional – I'm tired of plots about talented stars down on their luck and talented newcomers who can't break in to show business – it's an entertaining outing all the same and offers a nice chance to see Ida's super-talented dad at his most engaging!
Review of Cheer Up!
