Happy

After watching Over She Goes (1938), I was eager to see another Stanley Lupino / Laddie Cliff collaboration (far too few of them were made). This movie didn't disappoint! In fact, it benefits from repeat viewings because there's countless bits of comedy that you might miss the first time around (one liners, bits of slapstick, fleeting silly facial expressions and gestures). Like many British comedy musicals of its time, the humour derives from a mix of genres. The title song, "Happy", is a genuinely catchy tune (fitting in with the plot, where two struggling musicians are trying to write a hit song). Stanley Lupino was a master of comedy timing and comedic facial expression (mixed in with a romantic sweetness) -- and is always fun to watch every second that he's on screen. He has genuine chemistry with his co-star, Laddie Cliff (who is not exactly a straight man, but is somehow the perfect complement and contrast as a best pal). Supporting cast is also great. Will Fyffe, as their convivial old goose-keeping neighbour, plays an integral role in advancing the plot and producing comedic moments of his own. Even Bertha Belmore, who in other films usually played strict humourless old mothers, gets a chance to let her hair down, say some funny lines, and engage in some drunken dancing. Other good performances include Gus McNaughton as a posh and woman-crazy businessman (and father of Stanley's love interest), Harry Tate as a club proprietor who makes highly contorted facial expressions in response to the silliness, and Dorothy Hyson as the sweet and glamorous love interest. It's too bad this film isn't better known because it's really good.