RyothChatty
ridiculous rating
Bluebell Alcock
Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies
Sammy-Jo Cervantes
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Kirandeep Yoder
The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.
JohnHowardReid
Copyright 30 August 1936 by Gaumont British Picture Corporation of America. New York opening at the Roxy: 22 May 1936. U.S. release: 12 May 1936. U.K. release through Gaumont-British: May 1936. Australian release through 20th Century-Fox: 26 August 1936. 9 reels. 83 minutes.SYNOPSIS: An aspiring singer/dancer cashes in on the publicity generated in a newspaper gossip column about a big-game hunter, Mrs Smythe-Smythe. Unbeknown to her, Mrs Smythe-Smythe is merely a figment of an eager young reporter's imagination.Directed with pace and style, its cleverly amusing script peppered with three or four charmingly tuneful and/or witty songs, and most ingratiatingly acted throughout, It's Love Again is one of my favorite Matthews musicals. Jessie herself is in such absolutely top-flight form (double pun intended) it's hard to decide whether she's more wonderfully gifted as a light comedienne or as a smooth singing, admirably acrobatic dancer.Although Jessie is given more than ample opportunities to shine, there's yet enough room in the ingenious script for a marvelous host of supporting characters. Young does surprisingly well by the romantic lead, playing with both charm and spirit and singing and dancing with laudatory finesse.For the lead support role of Archie Raymond, the producer was fortunate to secure the rare services of Ernest Milton, a famous Shakespearean actor who made but very few films. Milton brings a superbly mock-serious touch to what is nothing short of a brilliantly rendered interpretation. His performance alone is worth a thousand ducats; and the astonishing moment when Olive Sloane sweeps into his room and the two of them sit at the piano joyfully rendering "When You Wore a Tulip" while Jessie stares at their backs in dismay, definitely deserves listing in anyone's catalog of Unforgettable Scenes in the Cinema.Although up-staged for the first and only time in his comic career, Sonnie Hale still has some choice bits of business. One of his most amusing scenes he shares with his real-life father, Robert Hale, here playing a tiger hunter and India expert. (Sonnie's name is Robert too, hence the "Sonnie" sobriquet). He also has to compete for laughs with Robb Wilton who manages to turn to his own delightful advantage such exquisite encounters as his confrontation with a risibly elderly group of startled, typically British club members.When she is not dancing solo or being partnered with diffident but able Young, Jessie has two fascinating duets with Cyril Wells. Jessie leads, but the skill with which Cyril keeps up with her is truly amazing. He must be the only male partner she ever had who could not only accurately mirror her more strenuous passes but impart to their dancing a full measure of his own personality as well.I could continue on with this catalog of the movie's delights for some pages yet. It seems churlish not to mention Athene Seyler's pleasurable contributions or to pass over villainous Cyril Raymond. And on the technical side, at least two or three paragraphs on Alfred Junge's startling sets and Joe Strassner's incredible dresses seem called for. Nor should I forget the most attractive photography, so artistically supervised by Glen MacWilliams. As for Saville's meticulously stylish yet seemingly light and gossamer direction, such creative entertainment deserves a whole page. In short, It's Love Again is so chock-full of enjoyment, it's a film I want to see again. And again. And again.
stephander
The name Jessie Matthews may not meant a great deal to current film goers, even to those who like old movies, but she was England's biggest musical star of the 1930's. She was a great dancer, a fine singer, a wonderful actress and scintillating personality. (Only personal troubles and changing tastes ushered in by the war prevented her from having a longer career.) It's Love Again, at a mid-point in her film career, provided her most memorable vehicle, except perhaps for the earlier film Evergreen, in which she established her screen persona as an aspiring musical star who resorts to some sort of trickery to achieve stardom. In this film she tries to get publicity for herself by impersonating a mysterious Indian woman who is actually a concoction of her society columnist boy-friend, played, surprisingly, by an engaging Robert Young. Also in the cast is her then-husband comedian Sonny Hale as well as his father Robert, and well-known character actress Athene Seyler. It's a peppy and thoroughly entertaining film. There is comedy, romance, good songs and musical numbers --- and Jessie wears some exotic and quite sexy costumes. All in all, though not for everyone's taste, it is a delight and quite different from --- and in many ways better than --- the musical films Hollywood had to offer at the time. And the talented Miss Matthews, with her bright eyes, toothy smile, enthusiasm, eccentricity, and Mayfair accent, is worth a look for those not familiar with her.
Jem Odewahn
I caught this recently on late-night television. It wasn't given a great review in my TV guide, but I was intrigued into watching it for I had never seen 30's British star Jessie Matthews in a film. Admittedly, I was also waiting up for the World Cup coverage (Go Socceroos, go!) to begin on a different channel. So I killed time and watched 'It's Love Aagain'.And I enjoyed it.It has a very light, flimsy plot and little unique visual style. Those are the downers...but then, did the Astaire-Rogers 30's musicals have amazing story lines and incredible camera-work? No. This is a cheery comedy-musical designed to make audiences feel good about themselves and life, and it works on that level. Some of the acting is rather poor at times, but that doesn't detract from the star, the 'Dancing Divinity' Jessie Matthews.From seeing her in this, I think that she was a very talented lady. She is an appealing, though not great, actress and a wonderfully capable and accomplished dancer-singer. She lights up the screen in every scene she is in and she works well with her male love interest, Robert Young. I've seen a lot of Young's work lately (courtesy of late-night television) and I am beginning to really like him. A reliable, underrated leading man.It looks very lavish for a Post-Great Depression film set in London. Matthews is charming, the musical numbers are fun, and you'll forget your troubles for a brief time.Worthwhile.
Kalaman
"It's Love Again" is my second Jessie Matthews musical. After watching her previous merriment, "First a Girl"(1935), I wanted to see more of her work. And "It's Love Again" is every bit as spirited, frolicsome, and enthralling as that one. It is characterized by grand production values, lovely gracefully directed dancing numbers, and some agreeably enchanting songs - especially the title song, which for some reason I can't seem to forget, even though I've seen the film only once. Ms. Matthews herself a radiant, willowy, longed-legged radio soap star turned singer/dancer - is a joy to watch. The effortless way she dances, moves, or sings is quite astonishing, makes you wonder why she is little known. As in "First a Girl", "It's Love Again" features Matthews impersonating another persona, only to discover later her true self. Here, she is dancer, Elaine Bradford, who impersonates a mysterious, alluring British celebrity named Mrs. Smythe-Smythe who spends most her of time in India hunting tigers. Elaine jumps into the role in order to gain fame and impress the show biz manager Archie Raymond (Ernest Milton) of her true talents. The celebrity is concocted by Peter Carlton (Robert Young), a slack but fearless gossip columnist looking for a big break and falls in love with Elaine. Their romantic moments are marvelously sweet and endearing amidst the chaos of dancing and singing. Victor Saville's direction has its occasionally polished slickness, with its penchant for large-scale, Busby Berkeley-like production numbers. The plot can get a bit tiresome as it proceeds - the constant obsession with Peter's invention Mrs. Smythe-Smythe is really trite and overdone. However, it doesn't get in the way of the glorious numbers and the charming rapport of Ms. Matthews and Mr. Young. Though it scarcely turns up in some circles as far as I know - "It's Love Again" is worth seeking out if you haven't seen it already. Like so many of the best 30s musicals, you will ultimately be left with a feeling of utmost joy and ecstasy.