IMDb RATING
7.1/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
A young Chinese woman working in the kitchen at a London dance club is given the chance to become the club's main act, which leads to a plot of betrayal, forbidden love, and murder.A young Chinese woman working in the kitchen at a London dance club is given the chance to become the club's main act, which leads to a plot of betrayal, forbidden love, and murder.A young Chinese woman working in the kitchen at a London dance club is given the chance to become the club's main act, which leads to a plot of betrayal, forbidden love, and murder.
- Awards
- 1 win
Cyril Ritchard
- Victor Smiles
- (as Cyrill Ritchard)
King Hou Chang
- Jim
- (as King Ho Chang)
Gordon Begg
- Coroner
- (uncredited)
Vi Kaley
- Woman in Bar
- (uncredited)
John Longden
- Man from China
- (uncredited)
Ray Milland
- Diner in Nightclub Scene
- (uncredited)
Charles Paton
- Doorman
- (uncredited)
Ellen Pollock
- Vamp
- (uncredited)
Jack Raine
- Diner in Nightclub Scene
- (uncredited)
Debroy Somers
- Bandleader
- (uncredited)
Harry Terry
- Publican
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaCharles Laughton is credited at the beginning of the film along with the other actors. His name appears on the the third bus with titles, on the left under Anna May Wong and above King Hou Chang. This was Laughton's feature film debut.
- GoofsThe opening credits appear in the form of advertising posters on the sides of London buses. However, the negatives have been flipped before the posters were added because on the genuine posters beneath them the words are in mirror writing.
- Quotes
Mabel Greenfield: I'm desperate! I love him - you don't and he doesn't really love you. He's too old for you.
Shosho: He isn't too old for me - - but you're too old for him.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits appear on the sides of London buses.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Elstree Story (1952)
- SoundtracksWhen Love Comes Stealing
(1928) (uncredited)
Written by Erno Rapee, Lew Pollack and Walter Hirsch
The sheet music is shown onscreen; possibly used in the score
Featured review
When Love Comes Stealing
London "Piccadilly Club" proprietor Jameson Thomas (as Valentine Wilmot) is having an affair with the female half of his star dancing duo "Mabel and Vic", shimmying Gilda Gray (as Mabel "Mab" Greenfield). When Ms. Gray's dancing partner gets too amorous with his lady love, Mr. Thomas fires the man. Alas, the departing Cyril Ritchard (as Victor "Vic" Smiles) was the nightclub duo's main attraction, and business tanks. But, Thomas has discovered a new dancer in his kitchen, sexy scullery maid Anna May Wong (as Shosho). Ms. Wong becomes an immediate sensation. Older Gray feels put out, especially when Thomas slips easily into the younger Wong's arms. Eventually, passion leads to murder.
Director E.A. Dupont and photographer Werner Brandes are superb, in their final collaboration; they give "Piccadilly" a great, artful style. Wong's performance, the last of her "silent" career, is almost revelatory; and, it's at least "Supporting Actress" award-worthy. Higher-billed Gray handles her less flattering role well, too. And, Thomas meets Wong's subtlety in wonderful ways; catch him admiring Wong's torn stockings. Small bits of business, like Mr. Ritchard slitting a deeper crease into his hat, suggest additional eroticism.
Charles Laughton has a delicious cameo as a "Piccadilly Club" patron more interested in his food than the dancers.
The film is not without its sour notes, however; for example, some characterizations/relationships are poorly defined; and, the ending could have been better. However, any attempt to improve "Piccadilly" might have encouraged the producers to fix things that weren't broken. Even the fly crawling up Wong's left arm as she reclines, during a seduction scene, seems magically planned.
Director E.A. Dupont and photographer Werner Brandes are superb, in their final collaboration; they give "Piccadilly" a great, artful style. Wong's performance, the last of her "silent" career, is almost revelatory; and, it's at least "Supporting Actress" award-worthy. Higher-billed Gray handles her less flattering role well, too. And, Thomas meets Wong's subtlety in wonderful ways; catch him admiring Wong's torn stockings. Small bits of business, like Mr. Ritchard slitting a deeper crease into his hat, suggest additional eroticism.
Charles Laughton has a delicious cameo as a "Piccadilly Club" patron more interested in his food than the dancers.
The film is not without its sour notes, however; for example, some characterizations/relationships are poorly defined; and, the ending could have been better. However, any attempt to improve "Piccadilly" might have encouraged the producers to fix things that weren't broken. Even the fly crawling up Wong's left arm as she reclines, during a seduction scene, seems magically planned.
helpful•50
- wes-connors
- Jun 8, 2008
- How long is Piccadilly?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Kinesflickan
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 32 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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