This comedy from the 1930s is more of a historical document for it shows an industry still at its height .Many scenes are set in the factories so we see many of the industrial processes.On the entertainment side much of the story is typical stereotypes of the times.Will Fyffe playing a canny Scotsman and Stanley Holloway playing a doughty Lancastrian.There is Jimmy Hanley as the juvenile interest.Now what is he,a southerner doing in a Lancashire mill?We also have Gibson Gowland of "Greed" fame no less in a bit part.For anyone interested in British films of then 30s this film is a must.It still has some entertainment value.Produced by Joe Rock who made many interesting films in the 30s.
5 Reviews
Romeo & Juliet Up North
richardchatten1 November 2020
Producer Joe Rock had already shown he was prepared to spend money for the sake of realism when he agreed to let Michael Powell film 'The Edge of the World' in the Shetlands. In a more modest way he also splashed out on sending a crew up North to lend ambience to this breezy farce set in Lancashire but with an American director and Scottish and Cockney actors in the leads.
Rock Studios shortly afterwards went bust, which shows authenticity came at a price.
Rock Studios shortly afterwards went bust, which shows authenticity came at a price.
Cotton Queen review
JoeytheBrit30 April 2020
Obscure regional British comedy which sees two comic legends - Fyffe and Holloway - playing a pair of rival cotton mill owners who must bury the hatchet in order to win a lucrative international contract. Not exactly sophisticated entertainment, but it has its moments - particularly when the duo drunkenly explore a Manchester funfair.
Definitely a curio, and a must for lovers of great movie photography.
mark.waltz15 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This independent British film is definitely interesting on a historical level, and fascinating for its portrayal of a fun weekend of elaborate fairs, sporting events and other British culture, including a beauty contest. I found it fast paced and fascinating, especially in non-plot related sequences which document the British common man (and woman) in their typical social life, quite bombastic and fun loving and outspoken. Fans of "My Fair Lady" will be fascinated to see a younger Stanley Holloway 20 years before his Broadway appearance in that classic musical and nearly 30 before the iconic movie. The film stars Will Fyffe and Holloway as business rivals whose children (Mary Lawson and Jimmy Hanley) are in love and wish to marry, and Lawson's entry into a beauty contest. Helen Haye (no s at the end, completely different actress) gets giggles as a feisty cartoonish old lady, stealing every moment she's on screen.
There's plenty of slapstick, quick edits during comical action sequences, and some amusing bits of study different English dialects. Great art direction is another plus. The fair sequence has a lot of terrific set pieces, a montage sequence that may be lengthy but one that is never dull. Fyffe is very funny, and Holloway delightful, and very unlike his role of Alfred P. Doolittle. This has more laughs per minute at times than American screwball comedies of the same time, and a laugh out loud sceve of a Chinese phone operator speaking her native tongue one moment, then breaking into English double talk, sounding quite cockney. Surprisingly professionally made for a first time around independent movie by these particular filmmakers which definitely gives it a more modern look than many American films of the time.
There's plenty of slapstick, quick edits during comical action sequences, and some amusing bits of study different English dialects. Great art direction is another plus. The fair sequence has a lot of terrific set pieces, a montage sequence that may be lengthy but one that is never dull. Fyffe is very funny, and Holloway delightful, and very unlike his role of Alfred P. Doolittle. This has more laughs per minute at times than American screwball comedies of the same time, and a laugh out loud sceve of a Chinese phone operator speaking her native tongue one moment, then breaking into English double talk, sounding quite cockney. Surprisingly professionally made for a first time around independent movie by these particular filmmakers which definitely gives it a more modern look than many American films of the time.
Presenting Queen Cotton
IcyTones14 January 2020
It's a Comedy Movie. Comedy Movies are not my thing, but I was fascinated by the Lancashire accents & the Cotton Mill Factory Work showing how Cotton was spun 'Back Then'. I was also fascinated by the 'job advertisement' that wasn't. "No Hands Wanted' meaning this Mill is fully staffed. However with a little persistence, resistance & 'push back' the 'Hand' was hired.
Why couldn't getting a job in today's job market be that simple? Because it really is that simple. All the BS, brainwashing & red tape about the need for application forms, CV's, etc, it's not about the 'Hands Wanted', it's about political status, stats and figures.
Why couldn't getting a job in today's job market be that simple? Because it really is that simple. All the BS, brainwashing & red tape about the need for application forms, CV's, etc, it's not about the 'Hands Wanted', it's about political status, stats and figures.
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