He Found a Star (1941)

Lucky Lyndon and his devoted secretary Ruth use their talent agency to find and help unknowns who need an opportunity.

Director:

John Paddy Carstairs

Writers:

Monica Ewer (novel), Bridget Boland (screenplay),

Stars:

Vic Oliver, Sarah Churchill, Evelyn Dall

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vic Oliver	...	Lucky Lyndon
Sarah Churchill	...	Ruth 'Ruthie' Cavour
Evelyn Dall	...	Suzanne
Gabrielle Brune	...	Diane
J.H. Roberts	...	Mr. Victor Cavour
Barbara Everest	...	Mrs. Cavour
Joan Greenwood	...	Babe Cavour
David Evans	...	Jimmy Cavour
Robert Sansom	...	Dick Hargreaves
Jonathan Field	...	Bob Oliphant
Mignon O'Doherty	...	Mrs. Miley
Peggy Novak	...	Madame
Robert Atkins	...	Frank Forrester
George Merritt	...	Max Nagel
Raymond Lovell	...	Nick Maurier

Storyline

When Lucky Lyndon decides to start a new talent agency, he persuades highly efficient Ruth Cavour to leave her current job and work as his secretary. Lyndon devotes his agency to finding and representing unknowns who need an opportunity. After a very slow start, Lyndon finally has his first success when he makes some changes in singer Frank Forrester's routine, leading to sudden success. As the business grows, Lyndon becomes closely involved professionally and personally with Suzanne, an opportunistic night club singer. The changes that she brings about in Lyndon are an increasing source of despair for the loyal, devoted Ruth.

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Plot Keywords:

singer | secretary | business | night club | song | 

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Genres:

Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1941 (UK)

Also Known As:

Encontró una estrella

Company Credits

Production Co:

John Corfield Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The Churchills (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Costa Rhumba"
Sung by Evelyn Dall

User Reviews

Just Average Overall, Does Have Some Good Upbeat Moments

This ends up being just average overall, but along the way it has some good upbeat moments. The story has the kind of setup that makes it easy to identify with the underdog main characters, and at times it makes good use of the possibilities. Some of the most entertaining parts, though, come from the minor characters instead of from the main story.

Vic Oliver is believable as a marginally successful but optimistic talent agent, who starts up an agency devoted to giving unknowns a break. His performance has enough snake-oil salesman in it to make the character seem genuine, while having enough good-natured energy to be sympathetic. Sarah Churchill might well - as the previous reviewer here suggested - be somewhat miscast. Much of the force of the story relies on her devotion to Lucky (Oliver's character), but more often she seems cool and efficient instead.

One of the highlights is seeing some of the performers whom the agency helps out. Robert Atkins is really entertaining with his revamped routine, and Uriel Porter displays a fine voice in his scenes. Although a young Joan Greenwood is also in the cast as the younger sister of Ruth (Churchill), the scenes of Ruth's family life are largely extraneous both to the plot and to developing her character.

This is a decent, average movie to watch when you're in the mood for something light and undemanding. It has enough of an upbeat tone to help it through the less rewarding stretches.