It's the depths of the Great Depression, and everyone in this film is either very poor or very rich (except for the couple who used to be very rich and are now very poor). A playwright and a songwriter are trying to sell their show; an attractive young woman is trying to get an acting job. A misunderstanding brings them together. The humor is very fast, if not very funny. Most of the songs in this musical show up in the second half; the title song is catchy, and the finale is energetic, if bizarre, but the rest of the music is forgettable. Star/writer/producer Stanley Lupino (father of Ida) is a decent broad comedian, but not much of a singer or a dancer. Sally Gray, who became a big star later in her career, had great legs and a serviceable voice but, at this stage of her career anyway, wasn't much of an actress. I'd recommend the last big dance number, which seems to sweep through most of London - it's very surreal and very entertaining.
6 Reviews
This Will Help
boblipton19 April 2019
Stanley Lupino and Roddy Highes have written a musical play, been thrown out of every theatrical office in the city and are stone cold broke. Sally Gray -- whose character's name is Sally Gray -- can't even get an audition and is likewise stony. So is the kindly couple who take her in. Fortunately, she comes up with the idea of turning their home into a hotel. When she is at another hotel talking it up for prospective guests, she is accosted, and is rescued by Lupino. This causes an agent to look her up and offer to bankroll her until she has a paying career; the report is that Kenneth Kove, the son of the biggest backer of plays rescued her. When she runs into Lupino, she thinks he's Kove and he thinks she's the answer to his dreams in every way.
It's a typically silly mistaken-identity plot, but that's not the point of the movie. Lupino's physical-comedy antics are kept under control, and are very funny in moderate doses, when not performed as if he's done this one a hundred times in the West End and a couple of thousand in the provinces. Miss Gray is fresh-faced and lovely and gets a solo dance number, with lots of high kicks and a splendid set. Even the minor players get their chances to shine at least briefly. There's little in this musical comedy that's new and startling (except for Miss Gray's shiny dress!), but it's all put together well and will keep you entertained for the hour or so of the show.
It's a typically silly mistaken-identity plot, but that's not the point of the movie. Lupino's physical-comedy antics are kept under control, and are very funny in moderate doses, when not performed as if he's done this one a hundred times in the West End and a couple of thousand in the provinces. Miss Gray is fresh-faced and lovely and gets a solo dance number, with lots of high kicks and a splendid set. Even the minor players get their chances to shine at least briefly. There's little in this musical comedy that's new and startling (except for Miss Gray's shiny dress!), but it's all put together well and will keep you entertained for the hour or so of the show.
Not entertaining, and didn't cheer me up
melnar122 August 2015
This dismal, unfunny British musical "comedy" did not manage to cheer me up in the slightest.
In fact, when I started watching it, I was in a much better frame of mind than when it ended. None of the so-called comedy, forced as it was, even elicited a smile from me.
The plot was totally cheerless – about show people who, down on their luck, did just about any ducking and diving that they could think of to avoid paying for rent, meals or anything else – attempting (and sometimes succeeding) to cheat others out of their money.
The film may have ended slightly better, by which time their fortunes were turned around, could have attempted to remunerate all those from whom they had cheated. At least that would have left me with a better taste in my mouth.
The acting, singing, dancing and choreography were third rate. I am not familiar with any of the untalented film cast, and when Sally Gray, who - I read in her biography - was to become famous later, ever thought of this film, she would most decidedly have cringed with embarrassment.
I can think of no reason whatsoever to recommend it.
It'd be better to search for "This'll Make You Whistle", with Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph, which was released in the same year, and would really cheer anyone up.
In fact, when I started watching it, I was in a much better frame of mind than when it ended. None of the so-called comedy, forced as it was, even elicited a smile from me.
The plot was totally cheerless – about show people who, down on their luck, did just about any ducking and diving that they could think of to avoid paying for rent, meals or anything else – attempting (and sometimes succeeding) to cheat others out of their money.
The film may have ended slightly better, by which time their fortunes were turned around, could have attempted to remunerate all those from whom they had cheated. At least that would have left me with a better taste in my mouth.
The acting, singing, dancing and choreography were third rate. I am not familiar with any of the untalented film cast, and when Sally Gray, who - I read in her biography - was to become famous later, ever thought of this film, she would most decidedly have cringed with embarrassment.
I can think of no reason whatsoever to recommend it.
It'd be better to search for "This'll Make You Whistle", with Jack Buchanan and Elsie Randolph, which was released in the same year, and would really cheer anyone up.
It may have done the trick if I could wake up.
mark.waltz28 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Perhaps it's the humor of 90 years ago. Perhaps it's the difference between British and American culture and styles of humor. But I can imagine it's a combination of both, with the added issue of the strong dialects which were fine in small doses but painful for a full 70 minutes, not long in length, but interminable when your ears are bleeding. I've seen Stanley Lupino on screen before, and found him watchable if certainly no Dick Powell or Fred Astaire, and when Sally Gray starts singing, it's like listening to a Julie Andrews record on a faster speed.
There's a few elaborate musical numbers, with good sets and handsome melodies, but then the singing starts. It's about song writers trying to get funding for a stage show, and while there's lots of farce mixed in, it's certain not Astaire and Rogers style of screwball comedy. Roddy Hughes certainly isn't Edward Everett Horton either. The funniest performances come from an Arthur Treacher like head waiter and the nosy landlady. I'm granting this an extra star simply for effort and forgiving the dated cultural aspects that weren't as noticeable in other British movie musicals of the time.
There's a few elaborate musical numbers, with good sets and handsome melodies, but then the singing starts. It's about song writers trying to get funding for a stage show, and while there's lots of farce mixed in, it's certain not Astaire and Rogers style of screwball comedy. Roddy Hughes certainly isn't Edward Everett Horton either. The funniest performances come from an Arthur Treacher like head waiter and the nosy landlady. I'm granting this an extra star simply for effort and forgiving the dated cultural aspects that weren't as noticeable in other British movie musicals of the time.
A forgotten gem
malcolmgsw9 May 2005
It is a sad fact that whilst many Hollywood stars and films of the thirties are still vividly recalled and their memories cherished their English counterparts languish in the vaults.This is one such.Stanley Lupino is probably only remembered as the father of Ida.However he was as they say a star of stage screen and radio.This is a truly delightful film which is as bright and entertaining as the time that it was released.The musical numbers are very catchy and well staged.It all moves along at a fair pace and is over all too soon.It was shown on Channel 4 about 15 years ago when i managed to catch it,so i suppose that i am one of the few people to have seen it.If you do get the chance watch it and you will see what i mean.
Delightful British musical
JohnHowardReid11 February 2014
Warning: Spoilers
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!
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