This splendid film creates a fairy tale world of backstage cattiness and
magical movements of the corps de ballet spinning it's web of dreams
at the Orient Theatre. Jenny Pearl is the flower and pet of the dancing
troupe but as portrayed by Sally Grey, smart enough to know that the
bubble can burst at any moment. At home she is constantly reminded
by her mother that beauty is only skin deep. Portrayed by Catherine
Lacey, a very under-rated character actress, she puts a lot of dimension
into her part - initially seen as a young mother with plenty of pride, she
is not going to allow her pious mouthed relatives to take the infant Jenny
or to put down her alcohol soaked husband (terrifically played by Stanley
Holloway). As time goes on she becomes a shrew, jealous of her daughter's
beauty and always needing praise "I was pretty once".
Based on one of a series of novels Compton Mackenzie wrote in a semi autobiographical tone about growing up amid theatrical doings in Edwardian London, Maurice Avery had made his first appearance as a friend of Michael Fane's in "Sinister Street". As played by Michael Wilding it's his caddishness and playing with people's feelings that bring about the tragedy. With Avery, Jenny experiences love but his artistic "marriage is only chains and shackles" philosophy is at odds with her very respectable upbringing. When he takes off for Paris without informing her she impulsively marries a dour farmer who is lodging at her parents. In London he seems wide eyed and steady, but in his own Cornwall, he is a religious fanatic ruled by his dominating and bible quoting mother. Part of the attraction of Trewhella (Bernard Miles) is that he is more than happy to bring Mary, her young sister, crippled as a child.
Hazel Court who must have been still a teenager, gives a very nuanced performance as Mary, originally taciturn, having been bought up with her mother's "looks fade" philosophy, then as a staunch supporter of Jenny - she has a couple of fiery speeches, definitely the best performance in the film. Another "Rank's Charm School" graduates is Jean Kent - she plays a fellow dancer Irene Dale - she only has a couple of scenes but her beauty and vindictiveness give her rememberance!!
Based on one of a series of novels Compton Mackenzie wrote in a semi autobiographical tone about growing up amid theatrical doings in Edwardian London, Maurice Avery had made his first appearance as a friend of Michael Fane's in "Sinister Street". As played by Michael Wilding it's his caddishness and playing with people's feelings that bring about the tragedy. With Avery, Jenny experiences love but his artistic "marriage is only chains and shackles" philosophy is at odds with her very respectable upbringing. When he takes off for Paris without informing her she impulsively marries a dour farmer who is lodging at her parents. In London he seems wide eyed and steady, but in his own Cornwall, he is a religious fanatic ruled by his dominating and bible quoting mother. Part of the attraction of Trewhella (Bernard Miles) is that he is more than happy to bring Mary, her young sister, crippled as a child.
Hazel Court who must have been still a teenager, gives a very nuanced performance as Mary, originally taciturn, having been bought up with her mother's "looks fade" philosophy, then as a staunch supporter of Jenny - she has a couple of fiery speeches, definitely the best performance in the film. Another "Rank's Charm School" graduates is Jean Kent - she plays a fellow dancer Irene Dale - she only has a couple of scenes but her beauty and vindictiveness give her rememberance!!