London Melody is a 1937 British musical film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Anna Neagle, Tullio Carminati and Robert Douglas.[1] It was made at British and Dominions Imperial Studios, Elstree and Pinewood Studios[2] by Wilcox's independent production company and distributed by J. Arthur Rank's General Film Distributors.[3] It was also released with the alternative title Look Out for Love.
| London Melody | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Herbert Wilcox |
| Written by |
|
| Based on | a story by Ray Lewis |
| Produced by | Herbert Wilcox |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Freddie Young |
| Edited by | Frederick Wilson |
| Music by | Geraldo |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 75 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
It was the first movie shot at Pinewood.[4]
Synopsis and production
editA musical with a trial. One of several Anna Neagle - Tullio Carminati vehicles of the era, London Melody was one of five films directed within a year or so by Neagle's future husband, Herbert Wilcox. This time around, Carminatti is cast as Marius Andreani, a cultured Italian diplomat. While in London on business, Marius makes the chance acquaintance of boisterous cockney street entertainer Jacqueline (Neagle). It is love at first sight, but hero and heroine must undergo a dizzying series of roadblocks and misunderstandings before the climactic clinch. Meanwhile, Jacqueline rises to the top of show-business success, never dreaming (until the end, at least) that it is all the secret handiwork of faithful Marius.
British and Dominions Imperial Studios was destroyed by fire in the early morning of 9 February 1936, necessitating the move of the production to Pinewood.[2]
Cast
edit- Anna Neagle as Jacqueline
- Tullio Carminati as Marius Andreani
- Robert Douglas as Nigel Taplow
- Horace Hodges as Father Donnelly
- Grizelda Harvey as Friend of Marius
- Miki Hood as Friend of Marius
- Davina Craig as Maid
- Joan Kemp-Welch as Maid
- Arthur Chesney as Marius' Butler
- Leonard Snelling as Organ Grinder's Son
- Henry Wolston as Alfred Snodgrass
- A. Bromley Davenport as General Taplow
- Ronald Shiner as the Pickpocket On Trial
- Geraldo as Bandleader
- Linden Travers as Woman in Night Club
- Raymond Huntley as Policeman Outside Nightclub
- Sebastian Smith as Gambler
Critical reception
editIn 1937, The Sydney Morning Herald called it an "attractive and well-acted picture...Produced and directed by Herbert Wilcox in a way that contrasts favourably with Hollywood's efforts in a similar direction...Anna Neagle, a gifted actress, with definite charm and personality, makes a delightful Jacqueline. As the diplomat...Tulllo Carminati lends distinction and poise to his role. Perhaps the best character in the film is the priest, Horace Hodges, a lovable and very human person. Robert Douglas makes a good impression in the rather inconsistent part of Nigel Taplow, Andreani's secretary";[5] whereas more recently, Sky Movies described it as "a very thin musical vehicle for Anna Neagle, bizarrely cast as a cockney street singer. This dated offering...will prove tough going for all but hardened Neagle fans today."[6]
References
edit- ^ "London Melody (1937)". Archived from the original on 20 August 2016.
- ^ a b Warren, Patricia (2001). British Film Studios: An Illustrated History. B. T. Batsford. p. 82.
- ^ Wood p.91
- ^ BRITAIN'S MOVIE SCENE: J. Arthur Rank Approves Common Market- By STEPHEN WATTS. New York Times 27 Oct 1957: X7.
- ^ "22 Nov 1937 - "LONDON MELODY."".
- ^ "London Melody".
Bibliography
edit- Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
- Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927–1939. British Film Institute, 1986.