Jessie Matthews

(1944) Jesse Matthews, John Stuart, Beatrix Lehmann. A tad long-winded, but overall this is a fairly enjoyable, sometimes creepy British mystery thriller. Much of the action is centered about a spooky estate where a singer is forced to spend the night in order to claim her inheritance. The film's highlight is Lehman, who turns in one of the best-ever performances as a sinister housekeeper, even better than Harriet White in the Dr. Hichcock films. Matthew's last starring role. Plays like a horror film in spots. 16mm.

(1944) Jesse Matthews, John Stuart, Beatrix Lehmann. A tad long-winded, but overall this is a fairly enjoyable, sometimes creepy British mystery thriller. Much of the action is centered about a spooky estate where a singer is forced to spend the night in order to claim her inheritance. The film's highlight is Lehman, who turns in one of the best-ever performances as a sinister housekeeper, even better than Harriet White in the Dr. Hichcock films. Matthew's last starring role. Plays like a horror film in spots. 16mm.

Sonnie Hale directs his then-wife Jessie Matthews in this British musical about popular stage performer Kay Martin (Matthews), who gives up her dream of making it big in the theater to marry sailor Steve Barnes (Barry MacKay). Matthews performs with MacKay and Jack Whiting on musical numbers like "My River" and "Your Heart Skips a Beat." Noel Madison co-stars as a sleazy American agent named Windy.

Turned down at her first audition, shop clerk Elizabeth (Jessie Matthews) thinks her dream of being a music hall singer is over. But when her friend and female impersonator Victor (Sonnie Hale) is unable to perform his musical number, Elizabeth steps into the spotlight. Soon success traps her in a real-life role as a woman playing a man playing a woman -- until a handsome suitor comes along. The film was later adapted as Victor/Victoria.