I always complained that turner classic movies explores more British classics than,let's say German. I was wrong. They haven't fully explore Margeret Rutherfords films.They have yet to show any George Formsby. They have only showed a few Arthur Askey films other than the more uppity over exposed British classic, that's it.Now I recently discovered another never before seen British actress. Betty Diver.Although she's not a beauty queen she a very talented actress and a a good singer.This movie stars Edmund Gwen who looked as old in 1938 as he did in the films of twentieth century fox, later. He portrays a captain of a barge ship, owned by the company he works for with his assistant Pat , played by Jimmy o Dea. He has been struggling with his daughter, Betty played by Betty Diver, who works as a waitress at a pub called the casino. Edmund as captain Joe , is frustrated cause he want to work at a better boat, but his boss won't let him. He also visits the widow Clegg, played by Mair O Niell , who run a fish shop cause their good friend and he has a romantic interest in her. Pat is interested in Joes daughter, Betty.Every supper time Her aunt Agness , played by Ethel Coleridge, a tea totaler temperance, and her Uncle Lancelot,portrayed by Sid Crossley show up.It's monotonous in Liverpool for her. She even tells pat that she loves to leave the place.Joe gets involved in a penny lottery focusing on footballs games , on the radio, rugby that is. His sister Agnes objects to it and the widow Clegg fears his attitude would become uppity. But as he's calculating the game it turns out he has won. 20 thousands pounds, So he gets pat to send the letter to get his check.Now he gets real excited goes to his boss and tells him as soon as he come back from around the world that he's going to buy that boat. The boss worries about him over competing against him and because of that 20 thousand pounds suggest that that he partners with him on the new boat.Joe Agrees. Now he putting on an expensive party at the casino and is inviting every one. Finally somebody tells Pat about the party and then realizes that he has forgotten to send the letter and does not have the heart to tell him. The widow Clegg hates him for having that money.So he asks Pat , who hasn't told him yet to pretend that he did not win so the widow Clegg will like him again. But pat is telling the truth he did not send the letter and Betty and the Clegg believes it.The assistant manager for the steam boat company is all of a sudden interested in marrying Betty cause of the 20 thousand pounds.This saddens Pat cause he wanted to marry her.Now the Aunt wants to sue Joe claiming that she and Lancelot had a helping hand in the contest. It turns out that the owner of the casino wants his billed paid for the party and he goes to the police. Now he is about to go on the new boat and a bobby come to him to send him to the bobby station. Well the aunt and uncle are their to have him charged with not including them in the money and the owner of the pub wanting his money too.He tells him that he will get it Tuesday. But finally Pat spells it out .Now every one is disappointed. Now Joe has to go out and tell his boss. But the assistant wants to call the steam ship company up and let them know first. Betty begs him not to do that.But he does and it turns out he was just interested in her money. She dumps him. Well pat stops him by claiming that the hit him .Well all the neighbors are their waiting on him to take the the boat.When he finally arrives and tells the truth. The boss then is glad he did not win and still excepts him as the captain of the new ship. This was a modestly budget musical and was good. Betty Diver only did a few films.11/20/11
Review of Penny Paradise
