Copyright 1941 by Gaumont-British Picture Corporation, Ltd. Never theatrically released in the U.S. Released in the U.K. through General Film Distributors: November 1941. Australian release through G-B-D: 13 January 1944 (sic). 7,510 feet. 83 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Posing as a footman and cook, two actors hope to persuade a wealthy socialite to back a show.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Despite some reservations (a rebellious old man, a female impersonation, gratuitous destruction, insobriety, willful deception), this film's depiction of the high spirits of Londoners during the Blitz is suitable for all but younger children.
COMMENT: This frantic farce is nothing if not enthusiastically played. The live-wire Askey and his partners Marriott and Moffatt are in particularly fine form, and there's an equally spirited performance from Kathleen Harrison as well. As if these were not high-jinks enough, Forsythe, Seamon and Farrell join the fray. Miss Forsythe is a first-class Gracie Allen impersonator who can dance up a storm. The songs are infectious too.
Varnel has directed at a crackerjack pace, making full use of the movie's exceptionally extensive production values. Sets and lighting are most attractive, film editing is both fast and smooth, the comedy is perfectly timed, the music score appropriately zippy. One's only complaint is that the showgirls' costumes are somewhat dowdy. But it is wartime after all. And as remarked earlier, the movie is a tribute to the stamina and lightheartedness of people in the line of fire, who can not only joke about rationing and food shortages, but find entertainment in underground bomb shelters and a communal feeling in adversity (this last theme being worked out both in the particular - the projected show's financial crisis - and in the general).
SYNOPSIS: Posing as a footman and cook, two actors hope to persuade a wealthy socialite to back a show.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Despite some reservations (a rebellious old man, a female impersonation, gratuitous destruction, insobriety, willful deception), this film's depiction of the high spirits of Londoners during the Blitz is suitable for all but younger children.
COMMENT: This frantic farce is nothing if not enthusiastically played. The live-wire Askey and his partners Marriott and Moffatt are in particularly fine form, and there's an equally spirited performance from Kathleen Harrison as well. As if these were not high-jinks enough, Forsythe, Seamon and Farrell join the fray. Miss Forsythe is a first-class Gracie Allen impersonator who can dance up a storm. The songs are infectious too.
Varnel has directed at a crackerjack pace, making full use of the movie's exceptionally extensive production values. Sets and lighting are most attractive, film editing is both fast and smooth, the comedy is perfectly timed, the music score appropriately zippy. One's only complaint is that the showgirls' costumes are somewhat dowdy. But it is wartime after all. And as remarked earlier, the movie is a tribute to the stamina and lightheartedness of people in the line of fire, who can not only joke about rationing and food shortages, but find entertainment in underground bomb shelters and a communal feeling in adversity (this last theme being worked out both in the particular - the projected show's financial crisis - and in the general).