Post by rmichaelpyle on May 12, 2010 9:00:32 GMT -6
I watched "Evergreen" (1934) again last night because I've been wanting to see some Jessie Matthews films for some time. This is a well made little film - and it is a 'little' film - although it reeks of being cheaply made. It also looks as if it were done in several locations - and on location at the 'boards', the actual music hall used in the program. The original boards actually show very well in the film, and if one is familiar with the music hall tradition in England, this one shows its origins nicely - but for not enough time! All kinds of plots evolve during the show - its only drawback, it's not tight enough - and begins with Jessie Matthews playing a music hall for her final performance before retiring to marry. She retires and has a daughter. Then the show shifts forward about 20 years or more, and we have the same lady making a comeback, although we suspect it's her daughter really. She hasn't aged! Many other complications begin to intrude on the plot, including the real father of the girl who, yes, is the daughter. On and on and on until the end which resolves itself rather nicely. Not enough music in this, although there is some compensation in the fact that Jessie Matthews is also allowed to show off that gorgeous hour glass figure in some rather well done dancing. She was really very good! Others in the fine cast are Sonnie Hale, Betty Balfour (same as the Hitchcock actress), Barry MacKay, and Ivor McLaren.
One interesting note. There is a scene where a lady in the audience mentions that Jessie Matthews is wearing something around her neck to hide the scars of plastic surgery. The film was made in 1934. The implication is that Matthews, who is playing her mother in this particular scene, is actually her mother, but that she looks so young because she's had plastic surgery on her face. Not a lot has changed, it would seem, although today we may have learned how to hide the stretch scars and the cuts a little better. Maybe, I really don't know.
Good film. Recommended to those who have an interest in the British musical at the time of America's great musicals on film with the likes of Astaire and Rogers. This has been shown on TCM, too, if I'm not mistaken.
Jessie Matthews was Britain's answer to America for musicals. She was very talented, and her films - as few as they are (she made less than 30) - are okay - but they're mounted somewhat crudely, no where near as nicely as those made in the US. Matthews herself we've talked about on this board before. It's a wonder she didn't commit suicide early in life because her own life was the definition of horrific! A lady who seemed to wear life well because she made it 74 years: she must have steeled herself well to the public, but in private she was simply a wreck, not the kind that heals, either, but simply a wreck's wreck. Great actress and songstress and dancer, though; however, after WWII her career foundered. When she died she was buried in an unmarked grave until a documentary made known the fact to try to rectify such a blot. The public responded.
One interesting note. There is a scene where a lady in the audience mentions that Jessie Matthews is wearing something around her neck to hide the scars of plastic surgery. The film was made in 1934. The implication is that Matthews, who is playing her mother in this particular scene, is actually her mother, but that she looks so young because she's had plastic surgery on her face. Not a lot has changed, it would seem, although today we may have learned how to hide the stretch scars and the cuts a little better. Maybe, I really don't know.
Good film. Recommended to those who have an interest in the British musical at the time of America's great musicals on film with the likes of Astaire and Rogers. This has been shown on TCM, too, if I'm not mistaken.
Jessie Matthews was Britain's answer to America for musicals. She was very talented, and her films - as few as they are (she made less than 30) - are okay - but they're mounted somewhat crudely, no where near as nicely as those made in the US. Matthews herself we've talked about on this board before. It's a wonder she didn't commit suicide early in life because her own life was the definition of horrific! A lady who seemed to wear life well because she made it 74 years: she must have steeled herself well to the public, but in private she was simply a wreck, not the kind that heals, either, but simply a wreck's wreck. Great actress and songstress and dancer, though; however, after WWII her career foundered. When she died she was buried in an unmarked grave until a documentary made known the fact to try to rectify such a blot. The public responded.
