Uncredited theatrical movie debut of Sir Alec Guinness (Soldier in Concert Audience).
The source novel, published a year after the death of Nellie Melba, was invariably perceived as a roman à clef of that iconic opera singer's life. The novel's author Beverley Nichols had in fact for a time served as Melba's personal assistant, although he would admit only to his novel's drawing on that association for "local color".
Beverley Nichols had - with Edward Knoblock - dramatized his source novel as a stage vehicle for Edith Evans - as a prima donna past her prime - which had a successful West End run in 1932. A 1933 Broadway transfer - also headlined by Evans - would last a mere 15 performances.
In an interview with BBC Film Extra in 1973, Alec Guinness talked about his experience as a one day extra on this film. He swore he "would never ever do that again" after he saw the way the other extras were treated on the film.
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