Stars in Your Eyes

Historically notable as the sole film of Dorothy Squires - as well as showcasing in widescreen and Eastman Colour the comely charms of Vera Day and Pat Kirkwood - 'Stars in Your Eyes' was also one of the final films to proudly proclaim itself "Devised and directed by Maurice Elvey".

Although today justly neglected Elvey's name once carried sufficient weight to be responsible for a handful of pioneering works in the history of British colour filmmaking; being responsible for the first feature entirely in Dufaycolor, and for one of his final films he was entrusted with Adelphi's sole venture in colour.

His technique, alas, was still rooted in the silent era, his idea of mise en scene being to photograph the action as if from the front of the stalls.

When this film was made variety,or music hall,had only about 6 years left to run.The only type of show that put bums on seats were the nudie revues.Variety went into TV,as shown at the end of this film.No theatre was going to be able to compete with Sunday Night At The London Palladium.Given also that patrons were deserting cinemas in their droves at this time,why other than colour and scope,would they choose to spend money on watching variety when they could see it for nothing in their homes.The colour is it has top be said very variable.At the climax when the camera is trained on the acts there seems to be a red bias.However when it cuts away to the auditorium it seems quite normal.The only thing in the films favour is that it contains a permanent record of the acts involved.

With a screenplay by Talbot "Carry On" Rothwell and a cast of stars as long as your arm, this 96 minutes musical extravaganza -- delightfully filmed in Eastman Color and a CinemaScope-compatible anamorphic process called CameraScope -- is not only a sheer delight from start to finish, but a real credit to Britain's pioneer director, Maurice Elvey. With so many great acts to choose from, it's hard to single out the very best, but I would certainly go for the top stars, Nat Jackley and Pat Kirkwood. Hubert Gregg and Joan Sims are also delightful. Even Bonar Colleano (not one of my favorites by any means) and Dorothy Squires impress.

Add to the cast: Rosemary Treston as a television announcer, and Marianne Lincoln as a blonde. Gladys Henson plays "Bessie". The movie went into general release in the U.K. on March 16, 1957, A Grand Alliance production, it was distributed in the U.K. by British Lion.

"Stars In Your Eyes" is one of the very, very few films that my colleague, F. Maurice Speed, who prided himself on reviewing (or noticing) every new film trade-shown in London, missed. However, perhaps it could be argued that "Stars In Your Eyes" is not so much a movie but a filmed variety show. It's certainly a "must" for Nat Jackley fans.

A film dated when it was made ! with a dreadful plot.......trouping company wish to save a dying theatre,but a wonderful cast Nat Jackley - his excellent routines,especially with Jimmy Clitheroe being preserved for all time,Pat Kirkwood showing why she was top of the tree in her day,belting out her final number,Bonar Colleano showing his virsitility Freddie Frinton,Hubert Gregg(looking like Nicholas Parsons)Joan Sims though especially the presence of the wonderful Dorothy Squires in her only film appearance.I had the pleasure to see a rerun of this movie at Preston last year.What a treat.Watch it folks......if only for Dot and Bonar singing "I Saw That Look in Your Eyes"