Love, Life & Laughter

Gracie Fields whom had recently become one of the highest paid stars in the world is in top form throughout this fast-moving comedy with music, that from the opening frame stresses a spirit of fun and joyfulness and a background of community spirit. The star's indomitable cheerfulness together with her vocal dexterity, seen in a song such as Cherie which she commences to sing straight and then sends-up, and her superb talents as a comedienne signify her immense popularity. This film had no pretensions other than cheer people up at a time of depression, and that it surely did. Though she nearly marries a prince and briefly becomes a film star, the congenial ending with the children in the hospital emphasizes her as essentially one of the people. There are some amusing turns in support from variety stars of the day including Horace Kenney as her father and Robb Wilton in his accustomed role as a muddled magistrate.

Without Gracie, this film would have disappeared without trace and I doubt anyone would have missed it, although for a rainy Tuesday in the 1930s, it was probably good enough. There is very little to relish in this fary tale romance other than the costume design and make-up, with the roles of Prince Charles and Nellie Gwynn are both wafer-thin and unbelievable. Gracie shines through of course, and does look truely wonderful, but even she can't compensate for the comedy which is not only predictable but also seems to fall flat most of the time. One for devoted fans!