Arthur Riscoe Movies
- 1941
Carol Reed directed this adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel about a British shopkeeper who inherits money and tries to crash society; it was later the basis of the Tommy Steele musical Half a Sixpence. Michael Redgrave is Arthur Kipps, a nondescript storekeeper who finds himself heir to a large fortune. Society golddigger Helen Walshinham (Diana Wynyard) immediately comes on the scene, hoping to trick Kipps into marrying her. Right before the wedding, Kipps gets cold feet and instead runs off with his childhood sweetheart, Ann Pornick (Phyllis Calvert). The two get married but Ann wants to live simply while Kipps continues to want to live large with his inherited fortune. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Redgrave, Diana Wynyard, (more)
- 1937
British musical-comedy star Jack Hulbert and Hollywood ingenue Patricia Ellis share top billing in Gaiety Girls (aka Paradise for Two). Hulbert plays Martin, a straight-laced Parisian millionaire who falls in love with saucy chorus girl Jeannette (Ellis). The plot requires that Martin pose as a reporter who is called upon by Jeannette to pose as her wealthy benefactor: in other words, he's hired to impersonate himself! With all this going on, it's a wonder that our hero has time to offer a few song-and-dance numbers of his own, but Jack Hulbert does not disappoint his fans. Billed fourth in Gaiety Girls is Googie Withers, whose name would mean a lot more at the box-office within a few short years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Hulbert, Patricia Ellis, (more)
- 1937
In this British musical, the trouble begins when a performer has a tiff with his singing partner during a show and ends up running outside. He is costumed as a beggar and in this guise encounters a kindly orphan who is in the custody of a former musician. Seeing his ragged clothing, she pities him and brings him home for a hot meal. The performer realizes that in the face of the poverty she and the magician suffer with daily, that he is truly a lucky man. Later he falls in love with the orphan girl and makes her his new partner. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arthur Tracy, Arthur Riscoe, (more)
- 1936
Music-hall comedian Arthur Riscoe is ideally cast as the title character in Public Nuisance No. 1. The plot and the title are one in the same, as Arthur Rawlings (Riscoe) plies his trade as a waiter, noisily making a mess of things but remaining impishly lovable withal. Heroine Frances Travers (Frances Day) is a shop girl whose wealthy uncle owns the hotel where Arthur works. Against all odds, Frances and Arthur join forces to save the hotel from bankruptcy. The musical numbers are catchy, but, like the film itself, nothing special. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frances Day, Arthur Riscoe, (more)
- 1935
In this lightweight drama, two good pals become bitter foes when they fall in love with the same starlet. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1933
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bobby Howes, Constance Shotter, (more)
