Stars on Parade (1936)
A rare chance to see some of the greatest acts from the Music Hall Years
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Don't listen to the negative reviews
Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.
Some of the best British Music Hall ( Vaudeville ) acts get a chance to perform in this nostalgic trip down memory lane. The Sherman Fisher girls dance to a lively tune. Pat Hyde, radio's schoolgirl sweetheart and talented accordionist, treats us to a jolly version of A Shanty in Old Shanty Town, and Pat O'Brien ( not the Hollywood actor ) is the singer who delights us with a few bars of That Old Fashioned Mother of Mine, guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye. Worth a mention is The Act Superb, specialists in tableaux vivants. The motionless representations by living persons in costume is all the more remarkable because this act has, in addition to the two humans, two very well trained dogs and a horse no less, all made up in white powder so as to appear like porcelain statues in various poses, each lasting 20 seconds. Sadly, not all the turns are at their best. The Mother Riley bit of business is drawn out and only mildly amusing. Here Robb Wilton does his perplexed policeman, but can be much funnier as the frustrated fireman. Nevertheless the film has a quaint charm and is an excellent insight into what was popular entertainment for the working class folk at their local Empire theatre before the days of television.
Essentially this is a variety review as there is no plot to speak of.Many well known turns of the 30s get their time and are spotted at almost the same stage they would be featured in a Variety programme.On this basis and the time allotted it has to be acknowledged that the incomparable Arthur Lucan in his "Old Mother riley" sketch is top of the bill featured with his "daughter" but actually his wife,Kitty McShane in an incomparable act.There is that immortal drunk Jimmy james,the lugubrious Albert Whelan and heading up the rear to give the film a bit of class is Debroy Somers and his Orchestra.For those interested in Music Hall or the 30s this film is a priceless record.