The Midshipmaid [Midshipmaid Gob] ** (1932, Jessie Matthews, A W Baskcomb, Basil Sydney, Frederick Kerr, Nigel Bruce, Claud Allister, John Mills, George Zucco) – Classic Movie Review 8103

Jessie Matthews stars in her second major film role (following Out of the Blue in 1931), the first of two films she made directed by Albert de Courville, followed by There Goes the Bride (1932).

Director Albert de Courville’s 1932 comedy The Midshipmaid [Midshipmaid Gob in the US] is a rather slackly and carelessly made mix of naval farce and breezy musical, but it has its moments and still has some vintage entertainment value.

British sailors in Malta queue up to woo the attractive concert-singing Celia Newbiggin (Jessie Matthews), the daughter of the puffed-up politician, Sir Percy (Frederick Kerr), sent to their naval post to cut overspending.

It certainly has a game cast of eager-to-please performers working hard to entertain, and it helped the vivacious Matthews on her way to the top. Her musical highlight here is when she sings the sweet song One Little Kiss from You (music by Noel Gay, lyrics by Clifford Grey). As Golightly, John Mills makes his film début as a sailor, an archetypal part he was often typecast in later.

Stafford Dickens rewrites Ian Hay and Stephen King-Hall’s play for the screen.

Also in the cast are Basil Sydney, Nigel Bruce, Claud Allister, George Zucco, A W Baskcomb, Anthony Bushell, Archie Glen, Anthony Holles, Joyce Kirby, Edwin Lawrence, Albert Rebla and Wilma Vanne.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8103

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