Producer: Michael Balcon. A Gainsborough Picture, filmed at Islington and Welwyn Garden Studios. Not copyrighted in the U.S.A. Copyright (in Berne Convention countries only) 1932 by Gainsborough Pictures (1928) Ltd. New York opening at the Seventh Avenue Roxy: 28 May 1933. U.S. release through Gaumont-British: May 1933. U.K. release through W. & F. Film Service: 17 October 1932. 89 minutes. Re-issued in 1940 in the U.K. through International Film Renters with new abbreviated credit titles and minus Hulbert's dance number on the pavement outside the Berkeley Restaurant. For some reason (sheer carelessness?) this cut is the print preserved in Britain's National Film Archive and broadcast on British national TV in 2007. U.S. release title: NIGHT AND DAY.
SYNOPSIS: Scapegrace son wants to follow his father's footsteps in the police force.
COMMENT: With its chase climax at Madame Tussaud's and its comedy and dancing highjinks from Jack Hulbert, this is an engaging and reasonably amusing trifle. True, Courtneidge fans are going to be a bit disappointed. Although she figures prominently in the Tussaud shenanigans, Courtneidge has so little to do, one gets the impression her role was added to the script as an afterthought. On the other hand, Hulbert has a little too much to say, although it is difficult to cut his wordy dialogue without damaging continuity. Peter Gawthorne, the perennial commissioner of police, also makes a much larger than completely welcome contribution. On the other hand, Winifred Shotter is an utterly charming little heroine. Lister is okay as the chief villain, though he is a stock lounge lizard with no individuality.
Forde's direction of the comedy chases, which was highly praised at the time, now seems a little too obvious, even primitive. But Hulbert's song-and-dance with Miss Shotter is such a little gem of melodic ingenuity and dexterity, one can only regret the loss of his other dance routine. It's a mercy I.F.R. didn't cut that well-known novelty song "The Flies Crawled Up the Window" as well. Though not one of Jack Hulbert's best, Jack's the Boy -- even in this cut-about form, still offers most diverting entertainment.
SYNOPSIS: Scapegrace son wants to follow his father's footsteps in the police force.
COMMENT: With its chase climax at Madame Tussaud's and its comedy and dancing highjinks from Jack Hulbert, this is an engaging and reasonably amusing trifle. True, Courtneidge fans are going to be a bit disappointed. Although she figures prominently in the Tussaud shenanigans, Courtneidge has so little to do, one gets the impression her role was added to the script as an afterthought. On the other hand, Hulbert has a little too much to say, although it is difficult to cut his wordy dialogue without damaging continuity. Peter Gawthorne, the perennial commissioner of police, also makes a much larger than completely welcome contribution. On the other hand, Winifred Shotter is an utterly charming little heroine. Lister is okay as the chief villain, though he is a stock lounge lizard with no individuality.
Forde's direction of the comedy chases, which was highly praised at the time, now seems a little too obvious, even primitive. But Hulbert's song-and-dance with Miss Shotter is such a little gem of melodic ingenuity and dexterity, one can only regret the loss of his other dance routine. It's a mercy I.F.R. didn't cut that well-known novelty song "The Flies Crawled Up the Window" as well. Though not one of Jack Hulbert's best, Jack's the Boy -- even in this cut-about form, still offers most diverting entertainment.