Pamela Bower Movies
- 1959
A musical and comedic bit of fluff without any other pretensions, The Lady Is a Square plays off the popularity of Frankie Vaughan to help carry the story as Johnny Burns, a young man with a passion for pop music. He insinuates his way into the home of the widowed Frances Baring (Anna Neagle) by pretending to be a piano tuner, in reality, he has fallen for her daughter Joanna (Janette Scott). He soon learns that the widow, dedicated to promoting a series of classical music concerts, has no cash. More than willing to help out, he takes on the job of butler and then sets his sights on getting his own hit recording out. In spite of the widow's aversion to pop music, and her aversion to his interest in her daughter, Johnny keeps at his goal of stardom. Notable in this stock storyline is the character of Johnny's brash manager, played by up-and-coming Anthony Newley, about to make it big with Stop the World - I Want to Get Off. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Neagle, Frankie Vaughan, (more)
- 1959
Herbert Wilcox wrapped up his long and prestigious film career as the director of Heart of a Man, which was produced by Wilcox' actress wife Anna Neagle. British teen idol Frankie Vaughn plays a sailor with a penchant for bursting into song. Vaughn has no intention of making a living as a vocalist, but a chance meeting with a whimsical hobo, coupled with a deepening relationship with nightclub thrush Anne Heywood, convinces Vaughn to go for the gold in the music world. In addition to enhancing the already successful career of Frankie Vaughn, Heart of a Man also gave a big boost to Anthony Newley, who popped up in a comic supporting role. As for producer Anna Neagle, this was the second and last of her Frankie Vaughn vehicles; after appearing in one more film (The Lady is a Square [59]) she followed her husband's lead and gracefully exited the British film industry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Vaughan, Anne Heywood, (more)
- 1955
King's Rhapsody was the second screen teaming of beloved British star Anna Neagle and Hollywood's "bad boy" Errol Flynn. Based on a musical play by Ivor Novello, the film casts Flynn as a European prince who falls in love with commoner Neagle. The prince pulls an "Edward VIII" and goes into exile so he may set up house with the woman he loves. When the King dies, Flynn is obliged to return to his throne and marry a hand-picked princess (Patrice Wymore, who was Mrs. Flynn at the time). Years later, the prince, finally free to marry, seeks out Neagle. She still loves him, but sends him on his way, realizing that his true place is with his people. Although Anna Neagle's husband Herbert Wilcox was producer-director of King's Rhapsody, her songs were cut from the final release print, leaving her with literally nothing to do but stand around and look radiant. Perhaps as a result, King's Rhapsody was one of the few Neagle/Wilcox failures. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Neagle, Errol Flynn, (more)
- 1954
Comparatively little known today, Republic's Laughing Anne was a Late Late Show perennial in the early 1960s. One of several Republic features lensed in England in collaboration with producer Herbert Wilcox, the film stars Margaret Lockwood in the title role. A well-known Parisian cabaret singer, Laughing Anne travels to the South Seas with her ex-prizefighter boyfriend Jem Farrell (Forrest Tucker). Here she falls in love with schooner captain Davidson (Wendell Corey), but she eventually breaks off the relationship, fearing reprisals from the brutish Jem. Years later, fate brings Davidson, Anne and Jem back together, and the results are disastrous for at least two of the three. Laughing Anne was loosely based on a story by Joseph Conrad. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wendell Corey, Margaret Lockwood, (more)
- 1952
A society woman (Margaret Lockwood) is accused of murdering her businessman husband (Orson Welles). Called to piece the clues together is Inspector Trent (Michael Wilding), on the verge of retiring from detection. He learns that the dead man was a louse, providing the wife with plenty of motive. But the truth comes out: The so-called murder was actually a carefully choreographed suicide. End of story? Not quite. Trent's Last Case was previously filmed as a part-talkie in 1929, with comedian Raymond Griffith in the title role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Margaret Lockwood, Michael Wilding, Sr., (more)
- 1951
Into the Blue is enhanced by the presence of two veteran British movie favorites. Jack Hulbert and Constance Cummings star as John and Kate Ferguson, who embark upon their first vacation in years. Travelling from England to Norway by yacht, the Fergusons are joined by their taciturn skipper Bill (Edward Rigby) and romantic leads Nicholas Foster (top-billed Michael Wilding) and ship's cook Jackie (Odile Versois). The film's central conflict arises from the fact that Foster is a stowaway. And that's about all the plot there is; the film's real strong suits are its stars and its location photography. Into the Blue was originally released as The Man in the Dinghy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Wilding, Sr., Odile Versois, (more)
