I saw this film on its UK release in the early 80's and would say that had it had the budget of Annie, it would have surpassed the latter at the Box Office.
The opening location scenes in Switzerland, then transfer to South African locations make the visual imagery incredible.
The music by Terry Dempsey is catchy and memorable, although now seems to be firmly fixed in the 70's. The film had its final negative grading in 1982 at Rank (DeLuxe) in England and was released that year, not in 1966.
The story is about Melody (played by Memory Jane), who believes her father is world class singer Johnny Madison (Joe Stewardson). When he doesn't send for her at Christmas, she sets out to South Africa to catch up with him on her own ... then the adventure begins.
When she arrives in Johannesburg, Madison claims to not know her, but his wife Carrie (Joan Brickhill) thinks she could be a "love child", knowing about his past affairs. During this turmoil, Madison sacks to of his stagehands and the threaten revenge!
Melody is temporarily put into an orphanage, from which she and some of the other girls are determined to escape. Whilst this is happening Madison and Carrie attempt to find out who the father is after a meeting between Carrie and Melody. However, before this happens, the girls get away and in the planned chaos of this, Melody is kidnapped by the stagehands. A fast and hair-raising car chase follows ...
Eventually Melody's father is found ...... but all does not go well.
Madison and Carrie work in traditional "Astaire/Rodgers" musical theatre and there are lots of set song and dance routines.
This film is a must for musical lovers, young children and those in search of first class family entertainment.
