The Lilac Domino

Now by American standards this might be a B musical but certainly not by British standards.It has the production values of a top of the bill feature.Furthermore at 79 minutes it in excess of the 75 minute barrier for quota films.I have not seen either lead before.the male lead is not very good.However the rest of the cast are of far more interest.S.K Sakall in his only British film before he went off to America.Fred Emney proving worthy support,and an incredibly young Athene Sayler.The plot is typical operatta and one suspects that it was old hat when it was released by United Artists in the UK.The musical numbers are pleasant without being in any way memorable,which basically sums up this film.

The LILAC DOMINO is a totally obscure old British "B" musical starring American June Knight.

Don't bother trying to find it unless you're a real fan of it's stars, June Knight (who made one other movie in England with Maurice Chevalier and Jack Buchanan)or Michael Bartlett. Or if you like 30's "B" opera musicals.

Personally, I think the movie is pretty cute with the music and the plot (which is pretty simple, rich girl tries to reform prince of a mythical Kingdom from gambling), but what really drags the film down is it's totally WOODEN star, Michael Bartlett. The guy can't act AT ALL. He has a great baritone singing voice, and he looks good (even a little like Cary Grant) but the minute he opens his mouth to say something, the movie suffers greatly. He's the worst actor I've ever seen. Sonja Henie hasn't got anything on this guy.

June Knight is good in her role, and her best moment is when she is making wisecracks at the middle-aged school girls in her school. She still has the look MGM gave her when she made movies with them. When she was at Universal, she didn't look so great. The screen brightens up when S.Z. Sakal is on the screen as a musician/magician who advises Bartlett. Plus the old lady who plays June's aunt is funny sometimes.

The sets/costumes and stuff are pretty good for a "B" picture.

In all, this is just a typical "B" musical.