This picture is actually two pictures in one. The central romantic comedy of the two strangers (Nino Martini and Patricia Roc) missing their trains and being stranded together for the night is contained within the framework of a satire on movie-making in which an incompetent Italian film producer, Fogliati (Charles Goldner), is trying to get his three scriptwriters to come up with a plot suitable for his latest singing discovery. It is in the latter which, for me at least, the best moments of the film come. Of note are the ten minutes in which Stanley Holloway steals the film without a line of dialogue, and the ending, suspiciously similar to one Woody Allen used many years later. I wonder how many other times this device has been used.
The core story is pleasant enough, but nothing out of the ordinary. It is however beautifully lit. Patricia Roc is pleasing as usual, but Nino Martini although a fine singer, is a bit hard to believe as a romantic lead. I have always however found Bonar Colleano's performances grating (you will know him from countless performances in English films of this period as an abrasive American), and here he is more so than usual.The parallels drawn to "It Happened One Night" unfortunately elude me.
Finally, for those interested, you will also find a very brief appearance by Christopher Lee as one of Fogliati's assistants.
The core story is pleasant enough, but nothing out of the ordinary. It is however beautifully lit. Patricia Roc is pleasing as usual, but Nino Martini although a fine singer, is a bit hard to believe as a romantic lead. I have always however found Bonar Colleano's performances grating (you will know him from countless performances in English films of this period as an abrasive American), and here he is more so than usual.The parallels drawn to "It Happened One Night" unfortunately elude me.
Finally, for those interested, you will also find a very brief appearance by Christopher Lee as one of Fogliati's assistants.