Irene *** (1940, Anna Neagle, Ray Milland, Roland Young, Alan Marshal, May Robson, Billie Burke) – Classic Movie Review 11,896

Producer-director Herbert Wilcox’s 1940 American black and white musical Irene stars Anna Neagle, Ray Milland, Roland Young, Alan Marshal, May Robson, Billie Burke, Arthur Treacher, Tommy Kelly and Marsha Hunt.

Capable performing enlivens this pleasant, still quite charming version of James H Montgomery’s 1919 Broadway hit, first filmed in 1926 with Colleen Moore. Genteel Irene O’Dare (Dame Anna Neagle) is a New York Irish upholsterer romanced by playboy Dan Marshall (Ray Milland) in Long Island society.

Several of the musical’s songs are missing, but luckily the delightful showstopper ‘Alice Blue Gown’ stayed in (and it is shot in Technicolor). Other songs: ‘Out on a Limb’, ‘Castle of Dreams’, ‘Worthy of You’, ‘There’s Something in the Air’, ‘Sweet Vanessa Brown’ and, of course, ‘Irene’.

This jolly, antique show is a guaranteed pleasure for those who like old musicals.

It was originally bought as a vehicle for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, who rejected it.

Anthony Collins was Oscar nominated for Best Music, Score.

Alice Duer Miller’s screenplay is based on the Irene stage musical libretto by James Montgomery, who had adapted it from his play Irene O’Dare. The score features songs with music by Harry Tierney and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy.

The Dandridge Sisters are seen in a pseudo-news segment and Johnny Long and His Orchestra and The Radio City Rockettes make cameo appearances.

Wilcox had a deal with RKO Radio Pictures and it worked out well here. It cost $578,000, earned $1,620,000, and made a profit of $367,000.

The cast are Anna Neagle as Irene O’Dare, Ray Milland as Don Marshall, Roland Young as Mr Smith, Alan Marshal as Bob Vincent, May Robson as Granny O’Dare, Billie Burke as Mrs Herman Vincent, Arthur Treacher as Bretherton, Marsha Hunt as Miss Eleanor Worth, Isabel Jewell as Jane McGee, Juliette Compton as Emily Newlands Grey, Nella Walker as Don’s mom Mrs Marshall, Louis Jean Heydt as columnist Biffy Webster, Doris Nolan, Stuart Robertson, Ethel Griffies, Tommy Kelly, Roxanne Barkley, and Martha Tilton.

Irene runs 103 minutes, is made by Imperator and released by RKO Radio Pictures.

© Derek Winnert 2022 Classic Movie Review 11,896

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com