Stingaree

Richard Dix and Irene Dunne, both from Cimarron, star in this very strange little film about an opera-loving outlaw on the run. Richard Dix happens to meet Irene Dunne and hears her sing. When Mary Boland (who is a total hoot as a self-absorbed patron of the arts and herself), from Greer Garson's Pride and Prejudice, won't let her audition for an influential friend, but only sings herself in her own off-key and shrill way, Dix fixes it so that Irene can audition for the V.I.P., despite the fact he puts himself at risk in doing so. As usual, Dix likes to ham it up, but endears himself at the same time. Ms. Dunne has never sung better in some very dramatic songs. And, what this film may lack in some technical ways and by feeling rather dated and old, it makes up for in originality and presentation. Overall, I liked it, despite its flaws and its incredibly unrealistic ending! Just go with the flow with Stingaree!

Australia, 1874. The famous bandit Stingaree is in the neighborhood; the prominent London music producer, Sir Julian Kent, is also visiting. Everyone is excited:

Mrs. Clarkson (Mary Boland), the nutty (and annoying) lady of the vast Clarkson estate, is determined that she will impress Sir Julian with her singing. Mr. Clarkson (Henry Stephenson) is not so sure, but he is curious to see the famous Stingaree.

Servant girl Hilda dreams of singing for Sir Julian herself—but Mrs. Clarkson is banishing her to the neighbors' during his visit. Hilda is crestfallen….might Sir Julian have been her once chance of escape from this lonely life?

Irene Dunne is wonderful as Hilda, and her performance makes this picture worthwhile. When she sits down at the piano, thinking herself alone, and sings—what a beautiful song, and scene.

Richard Dix is rugged yet refined as Stingaree, the dashing and notorious outlaw. He excels at disguises, takes bold risks…and has a keen appreciation for music. One very exciting moment: he's leaving in a hurry, cops in pursuit — he races toward the front door — sees Dunne standing there — picks her up in his arms and carries her off with him!

Andy Devine plays it fairly straight as Stingaree's loyal sidekick, Howie. (Neither Dix nor Devine attempts to sound remotely Australian or English, by the way—with the exception of Devine's hilarious phony accent when helping set up a robbery.) Conway Tearle is the devoted and reliable Sir Julian—it's a good performance but the role doesn't offer much except bland sincerity and mild passion.

The plot is outrageously silly—a suave criminal with a musical ear finds a girl in the sticks who sings like an angel and he risks life and limb to promote her career.

Nevertheless, the picture certainly has its moments. It's not every 1930s operetta-style musical that is highlighted by its songs, at least not to my taste…but Irene Dunne's singing really is most excellent, and she creates a character we do want to cheer for. A couple of neat plot turns offer pleasant surprises right up to the rather abrupt but satisfying ending.

Odd—but entertaining.

I've just seen "Stingaree" the first time on TCM and enjoyed every bit of it as it takes me back to the excitement of the early movies I saw as a kid paying 25 cents for an all-day stay at the theatre on Saturday. To start was an hour of cartoons, the newsreel, then two feature films and we could stay to see it all over again if we wanted to. Those were the days! It does seem that the subject of Nellie Melba could've had a strong influence on this story, an unknown Australian singer who becomes famous worldwide. Irene Dunne is the servant girl Hilda who has dreams of a career and is given the chance to sing for the impresario Sir Julian. I had visions of Jeannette MacDonald in this role, it's her style, but Irene Dunne gives a more integrated performance and her singing is finer as it has somewhat more volume to project, in my opinion.

There ought to be a special medal created for Mary Boland, she's quite something in all her films, over the top, hilarious, showy, a grand flurry of mannerisms, delightful and absurd. She certainly adds wit to her films. Her amusing reference to protecting "British womanhood's virginity" brought back the quip, "Oh no, my dear, you mean chastity. Britain wouldn't have survived on women's virginity," was quite a funny hint.

Richard Dix has the role of Stingaree, the thief who is being hunted but he does have a good heart and is determined to help Hilda get her chance to be heard by Sir Julian which succeeds and she's off to make her career although Stingaree unfortunately gets captured in the process and must put in his time in jail during her venture into the world.

I'm always charmed by Una O'Connor who plays Annie the maid. She has such a distinctive presence in all her roles, one can only wonder what it'd have been without her in so many great movies such as Robin Hood (Errol Flynn) and Witness For The Prosecution (Ty Power).

Henry Stephenson performs as the man of the house, Mr Clarkson, married to the Mrs., Mary Boland, his is not a very large role but well done.

Andy Devine is quite young in this film and he plays the 'sidekick' of Stingaree for their robbery excursions.

One ought to be fair in judging the old movies, after all, the acting that was done in silent films is not what they did when talkies came along. So too, we should consider the time period and settle into that when viewing the oldies. Each decade brought along its own styles and fashions, and that needs to be taken into account when making a comment.

All in all I enjoyed a first viewing of this adventure/ romance/ comedy film and I believe it's available to buy so that's good news too. Add it to your collection if you are a dedicated collector. Well worth it!

It was a static bore, and there wasn't a single actor in it remotely believable as an "Australian." I stayed up until 2Am to watch it, but it wasn't worth it. Only surprising thing was that Irene Dunne occasionally had a look which reminded me of how beautiful she really was at that time, I finally understood how the likes of Cary Grant could lust after her on screen. Otherwise, there's very little to this one. Richard Dix may have been a big star post-"Cimarron," but his over-emoting and head-wagging hearkened back here very obviously to the silents. And he and Andy Devine (of course, in this instance) both looked suspiciously well-fed for bandits beating their perilous way through the Outback

So yes, it's basically a clinker.

"Stingaree" is a comedy romance with drama, mystery, crime and even music. Much of it takes place in the wilds of Australia, so one might consider it also a Western. Then there's a fairy tale aspect of the mean step mother and the oppressed girl. It struck me also as a sort of Robin Hood of the bush. One can see bits of all sorts of genres in this film. It's a sort of swashbuckler romance with an outlaw and a fair maiden with a beautiful singing voice.

So, what's not to like about a film that gives an early look at a very talented Irene Dunne with a talented leading male actor from the silent screen age, Richard Dix? The filming location in Sherwood Forest of California represents the pastoral setting of Australia. The scenes of Hilda Bouverie's (Dunne) theater performances were filmed at Universal studios.

Dix and Dunne give good performances, as do all of a fine supporting cast. They include a young Andy Devine, old hands Mary Boland and Henry Stephenson, and Conway Tearle, Una O'Connor and Reginald Owen. As others note, this is one of several early films in which Dunne gets to use her beautiful voice for a number of songs.

This is an entertaining film that most movie buffs should enjoy - including the fairy tale ending. To some it may be preposterous, but to those of us who are still young of heart, it's a nice fairy tale for adults.