This film was discovered in a vault at Pinewood some years ago having long thought to be lost.It is one of 19 quota quickies directed by Michael Powell.However he does not refer to the film at all in either of his autobiographies.An example of the disdain in which the films were held particularly by the people who made them.Perhaps if they had had the chance to actually watch them again they would revise their views.This is an extremely bright and engaging film from beginning to end.Unlike many quota films it turns its limitations to its advantage.The cast is for one a great surprise.Jerry Verno shows what he can achieve in a lead role.Not something he would get any chance of in his subsequent career,his girlfriend Polly ward ended up playing in George Formby films and her film career petered out in the 40s.Peter Gawthorne normally seen as an officer here plays a singing butler.Muriel George plays her usual maternal part but again she bursts into song.Ben Weldon as the manager is also given a leading role in which he excels unlike the second or third hood in a Warner's gangster film.the actress who plays the movie star is at least to me a complete unknown and this would appear to be her only film role which is a shame. The musical numbers tie in with the plot in a way that may be copying films such as "Love Me tonight".It is clear that the musical numbers are being photographed and recorded simultaneously as that was the practice of the time.Not till the later thirties did playback become the standard.At the end of the film there is featured an early version of a helicopter.All in all this is one of the best quota quickies i have ever seen.
