Webster Booth Movies

Robert Morley and Maurice Evans play W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, 19th-century composers of such imperishable comic operettas as H.M.S. Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Much is made of the inescapable fact that Gilbert and Sullivan grew to dislike each other intensely. Also touched upon is the fact that both men felt they were writing "beneath" their talents, and yearned to do something more serious than their witty frivolities. And of course, we are treated to generous excerpts from several of Gilbert and Sullivan's works, performed by such D'Oyly Carte veterans as Martyn Green. Gilbert and Sullivan was originally titled The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan; its US release title was The Great Gilbert and Sullivan. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this British costume musical, Carol Raye plays Empress Maria, a young woman of noble blood who has fallen in love with Count Franz Von Hofer (Peter Graves), one of the men assigned to guard her. Maria's guardians attempt to dissuade her interest in Franz because of his reputation as a Casanova, and when Franz is discovered in a playful conversation with Cenci Prohaska (Patricia Medina), they are convinced that their assumptions are correct. When Maria learns of Franz's behavior, she disguises herself as Cenci for an upcoming costume ball with the hopes of catching Franz in a disloyal act. Waltz Time also features a guest appearance by the celebrated operatic vocalist Richard Tauber, who sings two numbers; it was one of Tauber's final screen appearances, as he passed on in early 1948. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This surrealistic film contains almost no dialogue even though it is a sound film. Instead of talk and subtitles, music is used to convey the action. The trouble begins when a young pianist finds that burglars have hidden stolen money in his piano. When his mother is mistaken for a gang member and arrested, the pianist grabs the loot and sets off across the snow-covered mountains; the gang follows, but eventually, they are arrested and justice prevails. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Producer Eddie Pola (a well-known British master of ceremonies) hopes to stir up publicity by staging an outdoor radio broadcast. The inclement British weather is only one problem: Pola must also contend with waspish critic Leslie Perrins, who does his best to sabotage the show. That's the plot, take it or leave it. Essentially, Sunshine Ahead is an excuse to showcase several top radio personalities, including bandleader Jack Payne, The Two Leslies, Ruth Naylor (performing the Jewel song from Faust) and Troise and His Mandoliers. This standard quota quickie was distributed throughout the British Empire by Hollywood's Universal Pictures. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi