No, No, Nanette (1940)

Perky young Nanette attempts to save the marriage of her uncle and aunt by untangling Uncle Jimmy from several innocent but ensnaring flirtations. Attempting one such unentanglement, ... See full summary »

Director:

Herbert Wilcox

Writers:

Frank Mandel (based on the musical comedy by), Otto A. Harbach (based on the musical comedy by),

Stars:

Anna Neagle, Richard Carlson, Victor Mature

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Anna Neagle	...	Nanette
Richard Carlson	...	Tom Gillespie
Victor Mature	...	William Trainor
Roland Young	...	Mr. 'Happy' Jimmy Smith
Helen Broderick	...	Mrs. Susan Smith
Zasu Pitts	...	Pauline Hastings
Eve Arden	...	Kitty
Billy Gilbert	...	Styles
Tamara	...	Sonya
Stuart Robertson	...	Stillwater Jr. / Stillwater Sr.
Dorothea Kent	...	Betty
Aubrey Mather	...	Remington, the butler
Mary Gordon	...	Gertrude, the Cook
Russell Hicks	...	'Hutch' Hutchinson

Storyline

Perky young Nanette attempts to save the marriage of her uncle and aunt by untangling Uncle Jimmy from several innocent but ensnaring flirtations. Attempting one such unentanglement, Nanette enlists the help of theatrical producer Bill Trainor, who promptly falls in love with her. The same thing happens when artist Tom Gillespie is called on for help. But soon Uncle Jimmy's flirtations become too numerous, and Nanette's romances with Tom and Bill run into trouble. Will Uncle Jimmy's marriage survive, and will Nanette find happiness with Tom, Bill, or somebody else?

---

Plot Keywords:

based on stage musical | public domain | character name in title

---

Genres:

Musical

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 December 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

No - No, Nanette

Company Credits

Production Co:

Suffolk Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min 126 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Though Nanette is portrayed as being a young girl/woman in dress, manner, and other characters' references to her (example: her uncle refers to her as his "little niece" on the phone), Anna Neagle, who plays Nanette, was somewhere around 36 years old during the making of this film.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
[Happy Jimmy Smith opens a silver dish to reveal a single slice of bacon]
Mr. 'Happy' Jimmy Smith: Pauline, what's this?
Pauline: Bacon.
Mr. 'Happy' Jimmy Smith: Well, I know that but...
Pauline: We've already had our allowance for the month.
Mr. 'Happy' Jimmy Smith: You mean...?
Pauline: Not another slice until Wednesday.

---

Crazy Credits

The credits appear printed on stage curtains. As the title appears, Anna Neagle comes out from behind the curtain, sits to the left of the stage and sings the title song, while different curtains are rolled out, each containing new credits.

---

Connections

Version of Tea for Two (1950)

---

Soundtracks

"I Want To Be Happy"
Written by Vincent Youmans and Irving Caesar
Sung by Anna Neagle and Roland Young
Sung in fractured Russian by Tamara

User Reviews

unfairly criticized musical comedy

Having read the negative comments regarding this film, I can only say that these people are expecting too much. I found this film to be a delightful and funny comedy featuring many great character players from the past. Especially good was ZaSu Pitts, who was reprising her role from the 1930 original film, now lost. As to the negative comments regarding Anna Neagle, what"s not to like? I find her to be a competent actress, singer and dancer as well as being extremely attractive. All in all, not a bad film, especially for the $1.00 I shelled out for the DVD. Also hilarious in the film was Eve Arden, whose presence uplifts any film that she happens to be in.