‘THE MIDSHIP MAID'

Evening Star, Issue 21510, 7 September 1933, Page 3

‘THE MIDSHIP MAID'

MUSICAL COMEDY FOR ST. JAMES Once again Jessie Matthews, who, it will he remembered, appeared in ‘ There Goes the Bride,’ lias made another first-class film, this time in ‘ The Midship Maid,’ by. lan Hay and Commander King-Hall, Gainsborough’s latest musical comedy, which will be screened at the St. James Theatre tomorrow. ‘ The Midship Maid ’ is a rollicking nautical film, and its humour has made it very popular wherever it has been shown. The story of the visit of a naval economist to the fleet at Malta —sent there to keep him quiet—is full of fun and jollity. While the pompous old man is looking around his daughter is setting the hearts of all the officers a-flutter. To flatter him the officers organise an amateur variety show, and a big part of the picture is devoted to the really laughable entertainment provided by the lower deck. Having the appearance of being played by amateurs the show has behind it many of the best names on the English vaudeville stage. Jessie Matthews scores a great success; Ifred. Kerr brings his amusing crustiness to the part of the pompous economist with the beautiful daughter; the inimitable A. W. Bascomb and Nigel Bruce arc amazingly good; and the study of a bandmaster by Edwin Lawrence is one of the host parts of the picture. Other artists playing important roles are Claude Allister, Anthony Bushel), Joyce Kirby, Wilma Vane, Basil Sydney, and Archie Glen.