Finding a good vehicle for Julie Andrews is a problem. She has a terribly affected accent - especially when singing, and has to live down a cinematic image which began with Mary Poppins and was dragged to the bottom of the pit by having to make the best of a truly appalling role as Maria in the Sound of Music. In this film, however, she shows herself as being a performer of some ability. I have seen Gertrude Lawrence in films. In my opinion, Ms Andrews is a better performer - in films, at any rate - than Gertrude Lawrence ever was. Ms Andrews shows a pretty good range of acting muses: her portrayal when drunk at the party was particularly good.
Having said that, the script and the storyline are not particularly good. Some of the facts of Gertrude Lawrence's life are not correct. For instance we have Bruce Forsyth playing Ms Lawrence's cockney father. As I recall, Gertrude Lawrence's father was a Dane named Clausen or Klaasen or something. Bruce Forsyth er ikke saa dansk, although he is, of course, an effective performer.
Her husband Richard Stoddard Aldridge - as the dialogue calls attention to - talks like a contract. And this is annoying. Gertrude Lawrence herself in this film is pretty two-dimensional, although that is the fault of the scriptwriter rather than the actress, who does her best with what she has been given.
Of the musical numbers, I liked the Jenny number the best.
In summary, this film, for all its faults, is worth watching if only to see Julie Andrews make an almighty effort to shrug off the little miss goody goody two shoes image she got saddled with in The Sound of Music.
Having said that, the script and the storyline are not particularly good. Some of the facts of Gertrude Lawrence's life are not correct. For instance we have Bruce Forsyth playing Ms Lawrence's cockney father. As I recall, Gertrude Lawrence's father was a Dane named Clausen or Klaasen or something. Bruce Forsyth er ikke saa dansk, although he is, of course, an effective performer.
Her husband Richard Stoddard Aldridge - as the dialogue calls attention to - talks like a contract. And this is annoying. Gertrude Lawrence herself in this film is pretty two-dimensional, although that is the fault of the scriptwriter rather than the actress, who does her best with what she has been given.
Of the musical numbers, I liked the Jenny number the best.
In summary, this film, for all its faults, is worth watching if only to see Julie Andrews make an almighty effort to shrug off the little miss goody goody two shoes image she got saddled with in The Sound of Music.