Rent The Jessie Matthews Revue: Vol.5 (1938)
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- Synopsis:
Throughout the 1930's Jessie Matthews was Britain's best-loved musical film star, her dynamism and gamine charm beguiling audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. With a string of box-office hits spotlighting her unique talent, it's easy to see how she became so popular and why she remains so to this day. 'Showcasing' some of the era's finest cinema talent including Michael Redgrave, Alastair Sim, director Carol Reed, actor/director (and Matthews' husband) Sonnie Hale and art director Alfred Junge the two films in this set are presented as transfers from the original film elements, in their original theatrical aspect ratios.
Gangway (1937)On the trail of a jewel thief, a dashing detective meets a young reporter masquerading as a film star's maid - and soon believes she is none other than the elusive felon!
Climbing High (1938)
Carol Reed directs a madcap comedy revolving around a young West End model, the wealthy young playboy who loves her - and his mercenary would-be fiancee!- Actors:
- Jessie Matthews, Barry MacKay, Nat Pendleton, Alastair Sim, Olive Blakeney, Noel Madison, Patrick Ludlow, Liane Ordeyne, Graham Moffatt, Danny Green, Edmon Ryan, Lawrence Anderson, Blake Dorn, Peter Gawthorne, Henry Hallett, Warren Jenkins, Michael Rennie, Doris Rogers, Michael Redgrave, Margaret Vyner
- Directors:
- Sonnie Hale, Carol Reed
- Producers:
- Michael Balcon
- Voiced By:
- Terry-Thomas
- Writers:
- Lesser Samuels, Dwight Taylor, Marion Dix
- Aka:
- Gangway / Climbing High
- Studio:
- Network
- Genres:
- Classics, Comedy, Music & Musicals
- Collections:
- Films to Watch If You Like..., What to Watch Next If You Liked Scrooge
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Reviews (1) of The Jessie Matthews Revue: Vol.5
Screwball Musical. - The Jessie Matthews Revue: Vol.5 review by Steve
Cheerful Jessie Matthews musical which doesn’t offer anything new, but... that’s some of the attraction of genre pictures! It’s not even the first role in which she pretends to be a maid. Jessie plays a theatre critic who wants to do real news stories. Working undercover to dig up some showbiz gossip, she gets snagged up with the Chicago mafia…
This was made with Gaumont-British in liquidation, but there’s quite a lavish production, even if the musical numbers feel a bit perfunctory. Jessie gets to dance in a variety of styles. The songs are of variable quality, though Lord and Lady Whoosiz is a big personal favourite. Okay, it rips off Makin’ Whoopee, but I prefer the cheap copy.
Barry Mackay is a bit of a stiff as the posh police inspector who romances Jessie onboard the Atlantic crossing. There’s a decent support cast playing the usual roles, with Nat Pendleton as a dumb gangster. Alastair Sim is best as an incompetent PI on the trail of stolen pearls.
This is a fine vehicle for the star's many talents... until they dock in New York, where inspiration runs out. There’s a really witty script with some genuinely funny gags. The standard screwball scenarios work yet again. It’s a peak period Jessie Matthews comedy, and there are far too few of those. Such a happy film.