"Sailing Along" is an entertaining comedy musical with Jessie Matthews in the lead. One thing that makes this film stand out is one of her co-stars, Jack Whiting. He sings and dances, and the two have a smashing lengthy finale. The story has a somewhat goofy plot, but a good one, with another male co-star, Barry MacKay. But the best part of this is the music and dancing that provides a look at the very talented Whiting. Like Matthews, Whiting was also a stage actor and performer. But he made only a handful of films and had a few TV appearances. He worked mostly on the stage and performed in many musicals on Broadway and a few in London.
This movie was made while Whiting had gone to London with his wife for a regal celebration and festivities. They stayed a year or so. I'm glad they did, and that he made this film, because it's the best one that showcases his talents. The Philadelphia-born American was likened at times to Fred Astaire for his dancing. While his numbers are very good in this film, I don't think he could quite match Astaire. But, Whiting had a very good baritone voice, and he sang as much or more than he danced on the stage. He also made recordings
Jessie Matthews is always entertaining and does very well in this film. While the film is a comedy musical, and the comedy is good, it's just in small doses compared to most of the films that Matthews made. The rest of the cast are fine in their roles. Alastair Sim is a hoot in any comedy he is in, as he is here, in just a small amount of screen time Roland Young is okay as the person who pulls the musical aspects of the film together. Athene Seyler as his sister, Victoria Gulliver, is quite good. Barry MacKay's role takes a back seat to Whiting's, but his is mostly for the comedy, and that's as it should be.
By the third decade of the 21st century, I doubt anyone would be around yet who might have seen Matthews or Whiting on the stage. And, but for the live theatre patrons and clients of their time, few movie fans would have even known about Whiting. I am in that group; but through musicals like this I have been able to see performers who were quite prominent in the past. And, I enjoy then reading more about the lives and careers of those very good entertainers
Movie buffs who especially enjoy musicals, and comedy fans too, should enjoy this film. Matthews plays Kay Martin, MacKay is Steve Barnes, Whiting is Dicky Randall and Roland Young is Anthony Gulliver. Here are some favorite lines from the movie.
Kay Martin, "I know you wan me to be a lady, but I do so want to go on the stage, just to show Steve. He's so sure of himself." Victoria Gulliver, "That's a great quality in a man." Kay, "And awfully hard on a woman."
Kay Martin, "Today I smell grease paint for the first time. I hope it's not the last."
Sylvester, inhaling deeply, "Mmmm, I love the smell of the theatre. I'd like to paint it - the smell, not the theatre. Anthony Gulliver, "Uh huh. To think it's all mine - the theatre, I mean, not the smell."
Victoria Gulliver, "I don't trust this theatre business. It always leads to trouble. A Gaiety Girl was almost Anthony's mother. All in all, he nearly had six different mothers form six different theaters before he finally arrived."
This movie was made while Whiting had gone to London with his wife for a regal celebration and festivities. They stayed a year or so. I'm glad they did, and that he made this film, because it's the best one that showcases his talents. The Philadelphia-born American was likened at times to Fred Astaire for his dancing. While his numbers are very good in this film, I don't think he could quite match Astaire. But, Whiting had a very good baritone voice, and he sang as much or more than he danced on the stage. He also made recordings
Jessie Matthews is always entertaining and does very well in this film. While the film is a comedy musical, and the comedy is good, it's just in small doses compared to most of the films that Matthews made. The rest of the cast are fine in their roles. Alastair Sim is a hoot in any comedy he is in, as he is here, in just a small amount of screen time Roland Young is okay as the person who pulls the musical aspects of the film together. Athene Seyler as his sister, Victoria Gulliver, is quite good. Barry MacKay's role takes a back seat to Whiting's, but his is mostly for the comedy, and that's as it should be.
By the third decade of the 21st century, I doubt anyone would be around yet who might have seen Matthews or Whiting on the stage. And, but for the live theatre patrons and clients of their time, few movie fans would have even known about Whiting. I am in that group; but through musicals like this I have been able to see performers who were quite prominent in the past. And, I enjoy then reading more about the lives and careers of those very good entertainers
Movie buffs who especially enjoy musicals, and comedy fans too, should enjoy this film. Matthews plays Kay Martin, MacKay is Steve Barnes, Whiting is Dicky Randall and Roland Young is Anthony Gulliver. Here are some favorite lines from the movie.
Kay Martin, "I know you wan me to be a lady, but I do so want to go on the stage, just to show Steve. He's so sure of himself." Victoria Gulliver, "That's a great quality in a man." Kay, "And awfully hard on a woman."
Kay Martin, "Today I smell grease paint for the first time. I hope it's not the last."
Sylvester, inhaling deeply, "Mmmm, I love the smell of the theatre. I'd like to paint it - the smell, not the theatre. Anthony Gulliver, "Uh huh. To think it's all mine - the theatre, I mean, not the smell."
Victoria Gulliver, "I don't trust this theatre business. It always leads to trouble. A Gaiety Girl was almost Anthony's mother. All in all, he nearly had six different mothers form six different theaters before he finally arrived."