Over the Garden Wall

Over the Garden Wall (1934) stars Bobby Howes and Hollywood's Marian Marsh in a cute comedy about warring neighbors and true love. Howes and Marsh play the nephew and niece of two feuding families separated by a garden wall (think The Fantasticks), but posing as brother and sister, they manage to run off to a hotel. The families, led by tyrannical aunts, follow them and many secrets are exposed. Slim plot and a few songs but enjoyable enough. Howes was pushing 40 and is way too old, but Marsh is quite good though obviously not English (and her singing voice must be dubbed). Bertha Belmore has a field day as Marsh's maiden aunt who was disappointed in love. The beautiful Margaret Bannerman (a year younger than Howes) plays the other aunt. Co-stars include Viola Lyel, Freddie Watts, Syd Crossley, and Stewart Granger in a one-scene bit part. There's an extend fan dance sequence a la Busby Berkeley.