Songs: "Lily of Laguna" (Finglass), "Littly Dolly Daydream" (Finglass), "Soldiers of the King" (Finglass and chorus), "Sue" (Finglass), all composed by Leslie Stuart. Music director: Percy Mariotty. Sound recording: John Carter. Producer: Charles Q. Steele. Executive producer: Jack Raymond.
A Jack Raymond Production, released in the U.K. through British Lion. Rented to U.S.A. TV through Modern Sound Pictures. U.K. release: 8 February 1941. Australian release by British Empire Films: 2 October 1942. 86 minutes. Cut to 82 minutes in Australia.
SYNOPSIS: An initially slow-paced fictionalized biography of poor boy Kelly, who changes his name and grows up to be famed music-hall songwriter Morley. With the aid of his lifelong friend Williams, Morley makes it big with his catchy numbers, but then falls victim to the rise of the Jazz Age. Production numbers featuring the singing of music- hall artist Finglass are well done, overcoming the weaknesses of the sentimental screenplay. — The Motion Picture Guide.
COMMENT: Robert Morley's third film appearance was in this excellent British musical, based on the life of songwriter ("Lily of Laguna") Leslie Stuart. Not only does Morley give a splendid impersonation, he doubtless wrote his own witty dialogue (he is actually credited with the writing of "additional scenes" in collaboration with Sewell Stokes).
Emlyn Williams has a rather soppy role, but fortunately is not in the film all that much. The direction by producer Jack Raymond is disappointingly conventional, but nothing could dim Stuart's music and this, together with Morley's performance, make the film highly appealing.
OTHER VIEWS: Uneven film whose only consistent quality is Morley's fine performance. Script and direction have almost as many poor moments as good, but lovers of Stuart melodies will not be disappointed. Morley was quite young when this film was made and his make-up as the elder Stuart is not too convincing — but that is not his fault. Photography and art direction are quite serviceable, while the music direction and sound recording are absolutely first- class.
A Jack Raymond Production, released in the U.K. through British Lion. Rented to U.S.A. TV through Modern Sound Pictures. U.K. release: 8 February 1941. Australian release by British Empire Films: 2 October 1942. 86 minutes. Cut to 82 minutes in Australia.
SYNOPSIS: An initially slow-paced fictionalized biography of poor boy Kelly, who changes his name and grows up to be famed music-hall songwriter Morley. With the aid of his lifelong friend Williams, Morley makes it big with his catchy numbers, but then falls victim to the rise of the Jazz Age. Production numbers featuring the singing of music- hall artist Finglass are well done, overcoming the weaknesses of the sentimental screenplay. — The Motion Picture Guide.
COMMENT: Robert Morley's third film appearance was in this excellent British musical, based on the life of songwriter ("Lily of Laguna") Leslie Stuart. Not only does Morley give a splendid impersonation, he doubtless wrote his own witty dialogue (he is actually credited with the writing of "additional scenes" in collaboration with Sewell Stokes).
Emlyn Williams has a rather soppy role, but fortunately is not in the film all that much. The direction by producer Jack Raymond is disappointingly conventional, but nothing could dim Stuart's music and this, together with Morley's performance, make the film highly appealing.
OTHER VIEWS: Uneven film whose only consistent quality is Morley's fine performance. Script and direction have almost as many poor moments as good, but lovers of Stuart melodies will not be disappointed. Morley was quite young when this film was made and his make-up as the elder Stuart is not too convincing — but that is not his fault. Photography and art direction are quite serviceable, while the music direction and sound recording are absolutely first- class.
