Julian Bonser

I bought this film for one reason - to watch the delectable and talented Miriam LaVelle dance and whirl and flip and spin through her routine. The film was essentially a vehicle for showcasing a number of entertainers of the day and had a flimsy storyline. If you like Miriam LaVelle, or haven't heard of her, learn about this lovely speciality dancer at the tribute website I've compiled at miriamlavelle dot com. Sadly she passed aged 32 in 1958 but thanks to her old movies resurfacing her talents can still be enjoyed.

I managed to get a copy of this movie some years ago and it's one of my favourites. The humour and 1930s cinematography is possibly an acquired taste but it's an entertaining and innovative film and has to be watched several times to get properly immersed in the storyline and the overall mentality of the flick. And it gets the prediction of 1980 delightfully wrong. I thought Marjorie White was a talented player in this, so animated and expressive. Sadly she perished in a car smash three years later. And El Brendel, whom I've not heard of, played a wonderfully comic role. Maureen O'Sullivan had yet to become a major star and was, in my opinion, in the shadow of Marjorie White. The miniature set, which was actually quite large, used for the opening sequence with various space age craft buzzing around over a busy city, was a work of art. With no computer animation real sets had to be built. If only it had been kept. Do watch this film. It may, on the surface appear as just a quirky 1930s Sci Fi movie, but actually it's clever and creative and has some snappy musical numbers.