Jimmy Godden Movies

Eden Philpotts' "provincial" comic novel and play The Farmer's Wife was first filmed in the silent era by Alfred Hitchcock. The 1940 talkie version was directed by Leslie Arliss, son of stage star George Arliss. The story remained the same: A middle-aged widower attempts to select a wife from his rural district's eligible females (Basil Sydney). Three unsuccessful dalliances later, the farmer settles for his housekeeper, whom the audience has been rooting for all along. The Farmer's Wife is a prime example of the sort of fare that struck a proper chord with British filmgoers, but whose appeal would be lost to any other nationality. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this farce, a photographer gives up his successful career so that he can become a painter. Unfortunately, he is a terrible artist. Fortunately, his ex-secretary supports him all the way and eventually becomes his wife. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Top British radio stores perform in this musical revue. The many acts are hosted by the popular team of Clamphan & Dwyer and are designed to offer competition for the commercial broadcasts that come in from mainland Europe. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this comedy, a bumbling factory worker at a record manufacturing plant accidentally destroys an irreplaceable master disc. The quick thinking fellow switches the broken one with a recording of his own voice. As luck would have it, his song becomes a major hit. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

A butler (Claude Dampier) searches for missing heir (Billy Milton) who claims his inheritance and wins the love of a woman June Clyde. ~ Rovi

Will Hay heads a cast of nearly 40 popular British variety artists in Radio Parade of 1935. The magnificent supercilious Mr. Hay is cast as William Garland, a radio-station manager whose operation is in big financial trouble. Our hero is baled out by Jimmie Clare (Clifford Mollison), head of the station's complaints department, who enlists the aid of his fellow employees to stage a big-time variety show. So grateful is Garland that he consents to the marriage of his daughter Joan (Helen Chandler) and the enterprising Mr. Clare. The film's guest stars may have not meant much to American audiences, but British filmgoers were delighted to see their favorites in action. Filmed in a primitive but eye-pleasing color process, Radio Parade of 1935 represents one of the first directorial efforts of Arthur B. Woods, whose promising career was tragically cut short in the early stage of WW II. In America, the film was released as Radio Follies. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this drama, a reporter loses his job after he writes a story criticizing the police department for their inefficiency in locating missing people. He then takes a wager from a rival reporter who claims that he cannot stay in hiding for a month. If he wins, he will have a new job at a rival paper. If he loses, he must give up a sweepstakes ticket. En route to his hiding place, his car is hijacked and used in a robbery. As a result his picture is put in every newspaper. He begins drifting about and even works in a carnival for a while. He finally meets a lovely girl who helps him win the bet and get a newspaper job. His sweepstakes ticket wins him $150,000. Later he marries the girl. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this comedy, an upstanding judge marries a woman whom he believes is much younger than she really is. To keep the illusion alive, the woman dresses her adult son as a boy. The truth is finally revealed during a wild music hall party. Fortunately, the judge is willing to accept them as they really are and happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Matheson Lang stars as a brilliant British barrister, about to retire due to ill health. He reluctantly agrees to take on the case of a young man (Arthur Margetson) accused of murdering his mistress (Jeanne Stuart). The young man's wife (Margaret Bannerman) does not condone her husband's peccadilloes, but she doesn't want him to go to the gallows. The actual culprit, is exposed approximately five minutes before fade-out time. Having won his case, the ailing Lang dies, postponing his journey into the Hereafter long enough to deliver a colorful curtain speech. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Too expensive for a "quota quickie" but not quite costly enough to qualify as an "A" picture, Happy is a shapeless but generally satisfying vehicle for several of England's top music-hall attractions. Stanley Lupino (Ida's dad) and Laddie Cliff star as Frank and George, a pair of nightclub musicians living in an attic owned by irascible Scotsman Simmy (Will Fyffe). Hoping to get rich quick, Frank invents a device that, when attached to an automobile, will immediately alert the police if the car is stolen. A millionaire car manufacturer is interested in the device, but agrees to purchase it only after his pretty daughter falls in love with Frank. Balking at the idea of marrying the girl for her money and influence, Frank nearly throws away his chance for true happiness, but it's all smiles and happy songs at the end. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this mystery a man who will do anything for his lover tries to get back his power of attorney so that he can manage his true-love's fortune. He wants it back because he realizes that she no longer trusts her guardian who has been administering her trust fund. In order to get it back he attempts a safe cracking. Unfortunately, he is caught by a detective. Later it is the detective who shows him a better way to get a hold of the important document. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this variation of Brewster's Millions, a fellow's sister will give him a million dollars if he can spend all his money in 30 days. He does his level best by wasting it on prizefights, race horses, and even a suspender factory, but no matter what he does, he cannot seem to lose a dime. Instead he simply continues to make money. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi