Calling All Stars | |
---|---|
Directed by | Herbert Smith |
Written by | Herbert Smith |
Produced by | Herbert Smith S.W. Smith |
Starring | |
Cinematography | George Stretton |
Edited by | Brereton Porter |
Music by | Carroll Gibbons |
Production company | |
Distributed by | British Lion Film Corporation |
Release date |
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Running time | 79 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Calling All Stars is a 1937 British musical comedy film directed and written by Herbert Smith and starring Arthur Askey, Evelyn Dall and Max Bacon. [1] The film is a revue, featuring a number of musical acts playing themselves. It was made at Beaconsfield Studios for release as a quota quickie. [2] The film's art direction was by Norman G. Arnold. [3]
After a set of master discs is dropped and destroyed, the recording artists are gathered together to re-record their contributions.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Cutting is rather spasmodic and the continual appearances of Flotsam and Jetsam demanded better material; as it is, they are apt to pall. ... The story is undiscernible, but the stars are the attraction." [4]
Variety wrote: "With but the flimsiest excuse to envelope the aggregation, this production is practically a photographed version of the acts offered by a number of pop stars of vaude and radio ... fans of each particular act will lap it up. With so many of the names natives of the U.S., there's no reason why it shouldn't register there, too. But with the general run of picturegoers the lack of a story will militate against its success." [5]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Spasmodically entertaining review." [6]
Carroll Richard Gibbons was an American-born pianist, bandleader and popular composer who made his career primarily in England during the British dance band era.
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