Vesta Tilley was still a household word back in 2006 when I first saw this movie on TV. Alas, that fame has not survived until today, but it's still pretty good going for someone who retired from the music hall circuit way back in 1919. Nonetheless, although sumptuously photographed in pleasing Eastman Colour (sic), the film is a bit disappointing. True, it does have atmosphere and whenever it focuses on the stage, it's lively and exciting. On the other hand, the back-stage story, although no doubt at least partly true, is dull and clichéd. And Compton Bennett's leaden direction certainly does not help. Fortunately, the musical highlights are put across with considerable gusto. It was a real stroke of genius by producers Gerald Thomas and Peter Rogers to have Miss Kirkwood's songs backed up not by some cheesy little band of a dozen or so instruments but with the astonishing expertise of the world-famous concert orchestra, Sinfonia of London!
Review of After the Ball
