MUSICAL MIX-UP

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 4 February 1938, Page 18

MUSICAL MIX-UP

The new Jessie Matthews scintillating musical film, "Sparkles," which begins to-day at the Civic, has been once again directed by Sonnie Hale, who is showing no signs of returning to acting for his many fans. His decision to retire and direct films only was a sad blow to most picturegoers, but his productions are more than making up for this. In "Sparkles," Jessie Matthews, who has never been seen to better advantage, sings and dances more divinely than .ever, and the story and dialogue have more than usual brightness. Also in the cast are Barry Mackay, opposite Jessie, Nat Pendleton, Noel Madison, and Olive Blakeney. The story provides plenty of variety. Inspector Bob Deering, while

Jessie Matthews Starred in "Sparkles"

on the track of "Sparkle," an international jewel thief, becomes acquainted with Pat Wayne, a newspaper reporter who, to obtain the" life story of a temperamental film star, is masquerading as her maid. She is sacked for accepting an invitation to go out for the evening with Bob, and to save her reputation as a reporter she embarks upon a publicity stunt involving the stealing of the star's valuable necklace. Unfortunately the necklace she steals belongs to a friend of Bob's. Greta Brand, and to avoid arrest Pat hides in the film star's steamer trunk, which is sent on board a liner bound for America. She is discovered by Bob, who is torn between love and duty when everything leads him to suspect Pat of being "Sparkle." His error in identity is shared by a notorious

gangster, Otterman, who has her brought straight to his headquarters on arrival in New York. There he acauaints her of his plan for her to dance at a night club while he steals the fabulously valuable diamond of Mrs Van Tuyl, a wealthy guest With gangsters' guns pointing at her from every direction the terrified girl commences her dance, but just at the

crucial moment she exposes Otterman's intentions by turning a searchlight full on Mrs Van Tuyl's table. A pitched battle ensues, culminating in the round-up of the gang by the police, the unmasking of the real "Sparkle" and the rescue of Pat by the repentant Bob, who begs her forgiveness and claims her as his future wife.