User Reviews

This film has been unavailable for showing in cinemas since it was released.It might be because she made it for Julius Hagen at Twickenham Studios for RKO release rather than at Ealing.At 92 minutes this was an ambitious production for Twickenham who mainly made quota quickies.This film was actually released many years ago on VHS so it was never a missing film as such.It is going to receive a long overdue screening at the BFI Southbank next month.The plot of this film is very reminiscent of "Me and My Girl".Gracie looses her job in a local factory.QWhilst bemoaning her fate in a local park she is overheard by a Duchess.The Duchess has her own problems.Her estate is in a mess and she needs someone to sort out her matters.She believes that Gracie will be the person to do this.So Gracie and her family move in to the stately home and are there to administer the estate and the servants.Gracie gets fond of the duchesss son played by Henry Kendall.She gets engaged to him.However she overhears a conversation he has where he gives the impression that he is going to continue to sponge off the estate.Gracie goes through with the marriage but immediately leaves him and is next found working in a show.Kendall has opened a motor car hire business.He finds Gracies whereabouts and they are reconciled.So the plot is not worth seriously considering.there are a number of songs which were incorporated into her repertoire.However she is lumbered with Henry Kendall who is only a bit more bearable than John Loder.Maybe she didn't want a strong leading man.Who would really want to end up with Kendall ?Anyway it is good that this film has finally been restored to public view.

The magnetic Gracie Fields could bring magic to whatever she touched, even if the script was only just so-so or the plot unbelievable, and that's exactly what she does for. Consistent lateness at her factory job gets Gracie sacked, and thanks to the fairy god mother she meets in the park (Nina Boucicault), she gets a job in a huge old country castle that looks bat infested and possibly haunted. The stuffy old family begins to liven up, particularly the heir to the empty estate (Henry Kendall) who quickly proposes.

Throughout the film, Fields frequently breaks into song, does a few variety acts and seems to emulate Bea Lillie in one musical moment with her wacky styling. The film does have an elaborate look for its outdoor sets, but is rather claustrophobic for the studio shot indoor scenes.

Fields pretty much is the whole show although Marjorie Brooks does add some bite as a rather tall socialite whom Fields thanks is after Kendall, assuming he's only interested in her for money she doesn't have. It's one of those thought lost films that could have stayed lost and not be missed, but ultimately I'm glad it was found.