A bright breezy, highly inventive, fluidly directed musical comedy, marred only by a somewhat abrupt and unresolved conclusion. The players are in fine form, particularly Arthur Askey and Anne Shelton. Askey has the lion's share of the comedy - Ronald Shiner, after an elaborate introduction and strong support to Askey in earlier scenes, all but disappears from the middle and climactic action - whilst Miss Shelton vivaciously and vibrantly dominates the musical numbers.
This in fact is a musical comedy where both elements occupy equal time. The songs are especially tuneful (with the exception of the lachrymose "When You Grow Up, My Child" which seems to have been inserted mainly to give a singing opportunity to a chubby kid), and are presented in grand style, often with acres of super-attractive girls.
Although taking advantage of some marvelous sets and even costumes, the comedy tends to be more intimately focused with Askey pulling out all stops on screen - including slapstick tumbles, verbal repartee, topical allusions and even a female impersonation - whilst two off-camera narrators send up James A. Fitzpatrick. Of course Bacon does manage to insert some of his typical fractured English into the dialogue ("anecdotes" for "antidotes", etc), whilst Graves provides the love interest for Miss Kent, but both roles are comparatively small.
Luckily for us males, it's the girls who are the almost constant center of attention. Just about all are way-out-attractive. It's good to see Jean Kent, looking so fresh and vibrant in a major role, so devoid of the dramatic mannerisms she was later to affect that many at our preview screening failed to recognize her until the movie was well under way.
This in fact is a musical comedy where both elements occupy equal time. The songs are especially tuneful (with the exception of the lachrymose "When You Grow Up, My Child" which seems to have been inserted mainly to give a singing opportunity to a chubby kid), and are presented in grand style, often with acres of super-attractive girls.
Although taking advantage of some marvelous sets and even costumes, the comedy tends to be more intimately focused with Askey pulling out all stops on screen - including slapstick tumbles, verbal repartee, topical allusions and even a female impersonation - whilst two off-camera narrators send up James A. Fitzpatrick. Of course Bacon does manage to insert some of his typical fractured English into the dialogue ("anecdotes" for "antidotes", etc), whilst Graves provides the love interest for Miss Kent, but both roles are comparatively small.
Luckily for us males, it's the girls who are the almost constant center of attention. Just about all are way-out-attractive. It's good to see Jean Kent, looking so fresh and vibrant in a major role, so devoid of the dramatic mannerisms she was later to affect that many at our preview screening failed to recognize her until the movie was well under way.