No, No, Nanette (1940)

Director:

Herbert Wilcox

Writers:

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

Release Date:

20 December 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Musical

Plot:

Perky young Nanette attempts to save the marriage of her uncle and aunt by untangling Uncle Jimmy from several innocent but ensnaring flirtations...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Musical | Character Name In Title

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

Runtime:

96 min | Canada:126 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16

Company:

Suffolk Productions

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.

Movie Connections:

Version of Tea for Two (1950)

Soundtrack:

No No Nanette

Not worth the buck

Well I just paid a dollar for a DVD of this movie, and it wasn't even worth that. It seems to be from a poor print and is in the public domain, I am guessing.

Neagle - despite her glory, awards, and reputation - is a homely British gal who can't sing or dance or act.

Some of the fine old Hollywood character actors on display here must have thought they were doing a classic. Director Herbert Wilcox (Neagle's husband) always thought Anna was the most exciting and talented femme on the screen. He was mistaken. She was improbably popular in Britain before and after WWII. Her "serious" roles are even more ludicrous than her musical appearance here.

Only a couple of the famous songs are included and neither one is well presented. Skip this one and find the one that stars Doris Day. At least you get some real comedy and professional style dancing!