Shepherd's Bush Aug - Dec 1936: It was a pretty routine film, lower budget than "Evergreen", but covering most of the gaps adequately, a moderate time-filler to those interested. The only print I've seen (off UK Channel 4 1990) doesn't help though - it's murky and depressing, maybe the biggest obstacle in the way of completely enjoying it. Gordon & Revel's songs are catchy and sung clearly and beautifully as usual by Jessie Matthews: "There's that look in your eyes again", "Looking around corners for you" and especially "Head over heels in love" all put over well by her and Louis Levy's Orch. in versions not commercially released.
Basically boy falls for girl buying sausages, girl falls for boys' idle friend, boys' friend falls for another (rich) girl simply to further his career (as what - a hummer?) leading naturally to heartache and rediscovery. Sonnie Hale directed, the first of three and partly because of the anxiety this and their stormy marriage brought Jessie had spells in hospital first with a nervous breakdown and then a life-altering appendectomy operation delaying the production by months. Something must have worked though because the 78 minute running time didn't drag for me, even though the plot was as hairy as the dancing. And Jessie nearly took her dancing partners heads off with her flying feet in some of the jerky and elaborate routines they performed. Fred Astaire was rumoured to be considering her to replace Ginger - I wonder if made up his mind by watching her perform?
Fans of Jessie should enjoy HOH however, her marvellous "cut-glass" voice is well displayed: not her best but passable.
