Gangway

I'm always seeking films of dancers in order to review their styles. I had read about Jessie Matthews, and this was my first opportunity to see one of her films.

For those of you who don't know her work, she's sort of the girl- next-door type. She has a pronounced, cute overbite, and her front teeth are so prominent, that you almost think she has buck teeth. Her singing voice has a light vibrato, not unlike many female singers of the 1930s. She was reportedly a prolific and popular recording artist in England, and her voice is pleasant enough for musical comedy.

Nicknamed "The Dancing Divinity", she can definitely dance. Her style of tap dancing is somewhat like that of Ruby Keeler--the buck and wing style--which is dated now, but was current at the time this film was made. In addition, she performs a "freestyle" type of dance, similar to what we saw Rita Hayworth do--twirling and swirling lots of chiffon.

The musical score is not particularly memorable, but then there are a lot of 1930s musicals that fall into that category.

You'll recognize co-star Barry Mackay from the 1938 version of The Christmas Carol, where he played Scrooge's nephew Fred. Also co-star Alistair Sim, who played Scrooge in the 1951 English version of the same story, has a comic bit part making big eyes. Here's a man whom you could say has "Bette Davis eyes".

I've now seen all six of the musicals starring Jessie Matthews. This one is worth a look if you enjoy her work. This film can be obtained on VHS.

When a reporter is accused of theft she becomes a maid to the wealthy. But when she later needs to convince them that she is in fact a reporter they don't believer her, and she's in a sticky situation with underhanded elements. Some decent songs and a predictable, silly story with OK acting. Worth watching if you like these old slapstick movies.

Gangway is a hilarious British comedy, crime, romance and slight musical and satire, with a great cast. The satire is so subtle at first that it's not even paid attention to in the film's promo or reviews. It builds slowly behind the general comedy, romance and intrigue, until it splashes out into the open at the end. But the clue of what's in store is right up front in the newspaper offices of the Daily Journal.

That's where Pat Wayne, associate movie critic, dreams of being an American newspaper woman in the "real" world of journalism. She and office boy, Joe, know all about that from the American movies. That's where everything exciting happens - so much to report on, not like England where nothing exciting ever happens. Well, before long, Pat will be on her way to America and up to her neck in excitement, after her boss gives her an assignment to go under cover as maid for a famous American movie star. His intention isn't much different than is the ethos of the American press of the day - manipulation for sensationalism.

Meanwhile, across London town, young Inspector Bob Deering of the "New" Scotland Yard, has his heart set on catching the "big one." In this case, it's a fish in Scotland as he's about to go on vacation . But, his plans are shelved when the Assistant Commissioner calls him into his office. Bob's solicitor, Smithers, is there to congratulate him on being the new Lord Darmister. Now he can't afford to leave the police force because of the added cost of keeping up the dilapidated family estate. So, the assistant commissioner gives him the task of finding and arresting the infamous international jewel thief, Sparkle. All that's known is that she's a master of disguise from her acting background. She's reported as being at the posh Ambassador hotel.

So, Deering is off to catch a crook, but instead catches a case of romance for a fugitive from the law. She happened to be a reporter on an undercover job, whose paper disavowed any knowledge of her. She was accused of trying to steal a necklace while working as a maid; and while hiding to flee the cops, she inadvertently became a stowaway aboard a ship to America.

Well, if all of that isn't enough to tweak one's interest in this film, the cast should clinch it. Jessies Matthews is Pat Wayne, Barry MacKay is Bob Deering, and Alastair Sim and Nat Pendleton head a supporting cast that will provide many laughs. Sim is an insurance detective, Taggett, on the trail of Sparkle. And, Pendleton is Smiles Hogan, a tough crook sent by big boss, Mike Otterman, to make sure Sparkle arrives safely in New York. She's got a deal to help him steal a million-dollar necklace.

The plot is superb with a wonderful screenplay. Pat gets more "excitement" than she could hope for. Bob and Detective Taggett get their man, er, woman, and Smiles gets off the hook by having to do one last job. One has to see the film for that, and the laughs up to the end will be worth it. While the film is billed as a musical also, Matthews has just a couple songs and dance numbers, and MacKay one short tune.

Two hilarious shoot-out scene are the icing of the satires. Except for a couple of broken glass panes and spotlights, nary a bullet hits any of the card tables or crooks in the first one, and no one can hit Pat in the second one. Hundreds of rounds are fired and no one hits anyone or any anything else. It's quite funny.

I think the Brits must have had a lot of fun making this picture. Some of the big Hollywood studios had facilities in England, and both English and American comedies had been made that poked fun at the English upper crust. But this may have been the first English film that poked some fun at the American scene with its gangster films. Curiously, this movie had its premiere in New York in August of 1937, and didn't open in England until January 1938.

Here are some favorite lines from this film.

Scotland Yard friend, "When you left Oxford, the university's loss was Scotland Yard's - loss." Bob Deering, "Just Oxford's gift to the criminal classes."

Bob Deering, "What belter disguise for a crook than to be a film star. Nobody'd ever suspect them of anything - except bad acting."

Assistant Commissioner Sir Brian Moore, "Don't be a fool, Deering. It's not often a policeman comes into big money - without an official enquiry."

Pat Wayne, "That's the life, Joe. You know you're alive there. Working for a newspaper means something real." Joe, "Sure. Nothing ever happens in England. Those birds in America have all the fun. Gangsters." Pat, "Riots!" Joe, "Fires." Pat, "Earthquakes." Joe, "Revolutions." Pat, "Floods." Joe, "Stick-ups." Pat, "Murders." Joe, "Gee, what a swell country to live in."

Pat Wayne, "But, chief, I can't be a lady's maid." Daily Journal editor, "You won't be. She's no lady."

Nedda Beaumont, " I see you served Lady Pendragon." Pat Wayne, looking at her reference letter, "Oh, yes, I ... I did, didn't I?"

Pat Wayne, "I'm doing my best, madam." Nedda Beaumont, "Who care about your best. It's my best that counts."

Assistant Commissioner, "You're a policeman. You're not supposed to like anyone."

Bob Deering, "I don't think you're a crook after all." Pat Wayne, "Stop talking shop." Bob, "Who's talking shop? I'm making love to you."

Bob Deering, "I'll resign from the force and have the captain marry us." Pat Wayne, "No, I can't let you marry a crime wave."

Smiles, "Watch out for Sparkle, now. We gotta hand her over in one piece, if we can."

Pat Wayne, "You're going the wrong way. That's where the shooting is." Smiles Hogan, "Cut the clownin', c'mon."

Gangway is a great little movie which I would decribe as a cross between a crime, drama, romance, muscial and comedy. It starts off with film critic turned reporter(Patricia) going under cover as a maid in a hotel to get a story, then it just so happens that a private dick (Bob) is after a jewellery thief called "Sparkles" who masquerades as a maid. Anyway he thinks that Patricia is Sparkles, falls in love with her regardless and follows her to America when she's kidnapped by a hood "Smiles" who also thinks she's the infamous Sparkles. All manner of events follow, and it all makes for quite an amusing picture. The Star, Jessie Mathews who plays the film critic/reporter Patricia is wonderful (She's very flexible and does some really good tap routines), with good supporting ensemble performances all around. Lots of fantastic song and dance numbers, some hilarious moments, (most notabley the tenderfoot dance) not to mention a good ol fashioned gang style shootout. A british flick with an american connnection, I'd give it 3 stars out of 5.

A reporter is accused of theft when she poses as a star's maid. And gets into an awful pickle when she tries to explain that she really IS a reporter, not just a maid ;-)

The songs are better than the movie in general, but all up this is pretty enjoyable fare. Rating; about a 6 or 7 out of 10.