DVD 150: QUEEN OF HEARTS (Monty Banks, 1936)

We should be glad that they don't make 'em like that anymore.  Gracie Fields' seventh film was an out-and-out star vehicle with little to distract you from her working class persona and coloratura trilling.

Seamstress Grace works opposite a West End stage door where she can see her favourite actor Derek Cooper.  He gets drunk one night and while trying to get an autograph, Grace ends up trapped in his car.  She covers for him in an accident and drives him home, putting him to bed.

Returning his mended suit, Grace meets a chorus girl friend backstage and tries on her evening dress costume.  Meanwhile the producer is waiting to meet a wealthy woman who he hopes will back his next show... can you guess what happens?

Gracie fails at pretending to be the rich woman but instead becomes the star of the show and wins Derek too.

Shelf or charity shop?  I have changed my mind, it's going to the charity shop