Cotton Queen

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.

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.

This comedy from the 1930s is more of a historical document for it shows an industry still at its height .Many scenes are set in the factories so we see many of the industrial processes.On the entertainment side much of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.

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.