El collar del principe

The second of two ruinously boring and expensive British Technicolor musicals showcasing stars from other media that hit screens in 1946 (the former being 'London Town' with Sid Field). Both abruptly ended burgeoning screen careers and complemented their use of colour onscreen by spraying ledgers with red ink. (Within two years British National had gone into receivership.)

Anne Ziegler looks good in Technicolor in the title role but husband Webster Booth is wisely heard rather than seen most of the time.

Lovely Anne and Webster as an improbable pair in a silly plot about the French Revolution. Good long shot filming allowing for full body language acting instead of the later years tight close ups on faces. Music score constantly seems about to break into Gianinna Mia but its very watchable!

Quaint costume drama that has not aged well. Insipid lead actor certainly not helping. A bit of French Revolution, a touch of Highway Robbery and a giant blob of English Royal Court drama.is a messy stew and then they start singing!

This passable British costume romance takes us to the wake of the French revolution, where La Canaille are busily putting an Aristo countess on trial. Robespierre / Goldner sends her son as a highwayman to England, to hold up the always excellent Sullivan and the man's daughter Ziegler, who is destined for the Prince of Wales' clutches, while they finalize Brighton Pier.

The middle aged working class leads just about get away with the dialogue ("What brutes are all of you men") and unsynchronised numbers about magical moonlight. The character actors and good costumes are a help to this old fashioned sub operetta.

Anne Ziegler and Webster Booth had appeared in other films before this one but usually as guest artists. This was the first film where they had starring roles. I have read the other rather scathing reviews here. I'm afraid Anne Ziegler must be turning in her grave to hear herself described as "working class" by one reviewer.

Very little was said about the singing and the music in this film I thought it was very well done and although the whole thing might appear to be dated by now - after all, it was made in 1946 - I enjoyed it.