Googie Withers Movies
British actress Googie Withers, born Georgette Withers, professionally adopted her nickname "Googie" only when she embarked upon her career. The daughter of a British military officer stationed in what is now West Pakistan, the convent-educated Withers prepared for a life on-stage by studying at the Italia Conti, the Helena Lehminski Academy, and the Buddy Bradley School of Dancing. Her first professional engagement, at age 12, was as a chorus singer. In films from 1934, Withers hit her peak popularity in the 1940s with such efforts as On Approval (1944), Pink String and Sealing Wax (1946), and It Always Rains on Sunday (1948). Her onscreen forte was elegant shrewery, often of a homicidal or self-destructive nature. After her mid-'50s marriage to actor John McCallum, Withers relocated to Australia, toting up impressive stage credits "down under." She resumed her film and TV career in character roles in the mid-'80s. Googie Withers was the subject of her husband's 1979 biographical volume Life with Googie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1935
When a bland clerk gets a small wad of cash from an inheritance, he throws all caution to the wind. He quits his job, leaves home, and takes a incredible cruise at sea. Assuming the role of a writer, he attracts women to him on the ship, but his capers also start to attract trouble. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1935
This early comedy from director Michael Powell centers around a number of corporate researchers who are trying to discover a way to flameproof celluloid. (The tests are performed on little celluloid "dolls.") The team is headed by a Chief Chemist, who as the movie opens, announces that he will soon be retiring, due to health concerns. His replacement is likely to be the only woman of the group (Mary), which fact causes a great deal of grumbling among the male co-workers. One in particular, by the name of Thompson, is vociferously against the idea of having a female as a boss. Although another co-worker, John, believes that Mary's credentials, not her gender, should be all that matter, his weak protest falls on deaf ears. Thompson comes up with a plan to derail Mary's promotion, suggesting that one of the men should pretend romantic interest in her, under the assumption that this will distract her from her work and make her uninterested in pursuing the position of Chief Chemist. John is chosen as the one to woo her, and despite his earlier protestations, he agrees. John succeeds in gaining Mary's affection -- and in falling in love with her himself into the bargain - but she is chosen to lead the lab anyway. Thompson devises a new plan that will impede the company's research efforts, hopefully resulting in Mary being fired. At the same time, events conspire so that John must be let go -- at which point Thompson claims a new discovery of John's as his own. Fortunately, things get sorted out in time for a reuniting of the lovers and a happy ending for all. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judy Gunn, Louis Hayward, (more)
- 1935
Previously filmed in 1929 as S.O.S. (also the title of the Walter Ellis play that is its basis), Her Last Affaire switches the sexes of its leading characters so that the protagonist is now a male, Alan Heriot (Hugh Williams). Heriot is the secretary to Sir Julian Weyre (Francis L. Sullivan) a politician of increasing power and influence; he also has designs on Weyre's daughter (Sophie Stewart), and wishes to marry her. Weyre and his new wife, Lady Avril (Viola Keats), are against the marriage, primarily because Heriot's father was involved in a criminal scandal. As the film unfolds, the viewer comes to doubt the sincerity of Heriot's affection toward the boss' daughter, for he arranges a suspicious assignation at a country inn with Lady Avril. Eventually, however, it becomes clear that he has done so because he knows Lady Avril has information that could clear his family's name, and he is attempting to force her to sign a document to that effect. Unfortunately, while he is trying to persuade her, Lady Avril suffers a heart attack and dies. Panicking, Heriot flees and thus becomes the prime suspect in what is declared to be a murder. With motive and without a valid alibi, things look bleak for the young man, who comes to rely upon a maid at the inn to help him out of this difficult situation. Thought lost for many years, the film was rediscovered and restored in the 1980s. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugh Williams, Viola Keats, (more)
- 1935
In this British crime drama, a jealous man seeks to murder his brother. He plans on electrocuting him, but slips up and fries the wrong fellow. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1935
In this drama, an aging ironworker inherits enough money to lead a comfortable life. Unfortunately his family seems determined to squander his new-found wealth. First his son becomes a lazy slug; then his brother kills someone. The ironworker decides to teach them a lesson. He returns to work and is nearly killed. The family is sobered up by the accident and decides to clean up their act. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1934
David Gordon runs a bookshop that draws its customers primarily from the nearby college. One of these patrons is the attractive Marian, who has caught David's eye and married him. Bob, David's best friend, has never met Marian, but while talking to her on the phone one day confides that he is lonely and that he, too, wants to fall in love and get married. Unfortunately, there isn't a girl in his life and he doesn't know how to go about getting one. Marian responds that the best way is simply to pick out the first girl in a crowd that attracts him, follow her and convince her to marry him. Bob takes this advice to heart; unfortunately, the girl that he picks coincidentally turns out to be Marian. Misunderstandings ensue, with Bob eventually landing in jail -- and soon finding he's not alone. Seventeen-year-old Googie Withers was picked from the crowd of extras to play a featured part after the original actress quit, thereby beginning a film career that lasted six decades. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
