You Will Remember ** (1941, Robert Morley, Emlyn Williams, Dorothy Hyson) – Classic Movie Review 13,384

The forgotten 1941 British musical drama film You Will Remember portrays the life of the popular English musical comedy composer Leslie Stuart, and stars Robert Morley, Emlyn Williams, and Dorothy Hyson.

Director Jack Raymond’s forgotten 1941 British musical drama film You Will Remember portrays the life of the popular English musical comedy composer Leslie Stuart, and stars Robert Morley, Emlyn Williams, and Dorothy Hyson.

The amiable Robert Morley enriches the star role in a genial musical biography of the gifted real-life Victorian tunesmith Leslie Stuart, whose life conforms to the biopic stereotype of rising from rags (born poor as Tom Barrett) to riches and falling back to rags again when he is declared bankrupt and ends up in debtors’ jail before a brief final comeback.

The performances are lively and the staging and singing of the featured songs is well done, and overall the film is entertaining as well as informative.

Roddy McDowell appears as a child, young Bob Slater, the hero’s bootblack buddy, who is played by Emlyn Williams as an adult.

Leslie Stuart was the composer of ‘Tell Me Pretty Maiden’. ‘Sue’, ‘Florodora’, ‘Lily of Laguna’, ‘Little Dolly Daydream’ and ‘Soldiers of the King’, and all of them are featured songs in the movie.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards marches on.

British music hall master of ceremonies used to introduce old favourite songs by saying ‘You will remember…’ and hence the title.

It was shot at Isleworth Studios, Hounslow, West London, England.

Release date: 8 February 1941.

Leslie Stuart (15 March 1863 – 27 March 1928)

English musical comedy composer Leslie Stuart (15 March 1863 – 27 March 1928) was born Thomas Augustine Barrett, and is best known for the hit show Florodora (1899) and his many popular songs.

The cast

The cast are Robert Morley as Tom Barrett / Leslie Stuart, Emlyn Williams as Bob Slater, Dorothy Hyson as Ellaline Terriss, Tom E Finglass as Eugene Stratton, Nicholas Phipps as Earl of Potter, Gertrude Musgrove as Polly Potter, Charles Lefeaux as Mr Carr, Allan Jeayes as Signor Foli, Charles Victor as Pat Barrett, Maire O’Neill as Mrs Barrett, Maurice Kelly as young Tom Barrett, Roddy McDowall as young Bob Slater, Marie Ault as bit role, Muriel George as Manchester landlady, James Harcourt as Judge, Mary Merrall as London landlady, and Johnnie Schofield as sheet music seller.

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,384

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