Sunday, June 24, 2012

Movie review – “No, No Nanette” (1940) **


Victor Mature’s stage success in Lady in the Dark saw him cast as a prop for leading ladies in screen musicals for the next decade. Here the star is English favourite Anna Neagle, in one of several films she made with hubby Herbert Wilcox in Hollywood at the outbreak of World War Two. It’s a half arsed piece, consisting of a lot of running around and frantic activity and a plot revolving around a Broadway show and Neagle’s uncle getting into an amorous trap with an actress. Neagle is pursued by Broadway producer Mature and artist Richard Carlson; the latter is the genuine love interest.

It’s a half arsed musical – there aren’t even any proper production numbers, just sort of half ones ('Tea for Two' plays a lot on the soundtrack but never gets a proper guernsey). It’s in black and white and has little dancing or production value. There is a strong support cast including Roland Young, Helen Broderick, Zasu Pitts, Even Arden and Billy Gilbert.

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