Gangway is a hilarious British comedy, crime, romance and slight musical and satire, with a great cast. The satire is so subtle at first that it's not even paid attention to in the film's promo or reviews. It builds slowly behind the general comedy, romance and intrigue, until it splashes out into the open at the end. But the clue of what's in store is right up front in the newspaper offices of the Daily Journal.
That's where Pat Wayne, associate movie critic, dreams of being an American newspaper woman in the "real" world of journalism. She and office boy, Joe, know all about that from the American movies. That's where everything exciting happens - so much to report on, not like England where nothing exciting ever happens. Well, before long, Pat will be on her way to America and up to her neck in excitement, after her boss gives her an assignment to go under cover as maid for a famous American movie star. His intention isn't much different than is the ethos of the American press of the day - manipulation for sensationalism.
Meanwhile, across London town, young Inspector Bob Deering of the "New" Scotland Yard, has his heart set on catching the "big one." In this case, it's a fish in Scotland as he's about to go on vacation . But, his plans are shelved when the Assistant Commissioner calls him into his office. Bob's solicitor, Smithers, is there to congratulate him on being the new Lord Darmister. Now he can't afford to leave the police force because of the added cost of keeping up the dilapidated family estate. So, the assistant commissioner gives him the task of finding and arresting the infamous international jewel thief, Sparkle. All that's known is that she's a master of disguise from her acting background. She's reported as being at the posh Ambassador hotel.
So, Deering is off to catch a crook, but instead catches a case of romance for a fugitive from the law. She happened to be a reporter on an undercover job, whose paper disavowed any knowledge of her. She was accused of trying to steal a necklace while working as a maid; and while hiding to flee the cops, she inadvertently became a stowaway aboard a ship to America.
Well, if all of that isn't enough to tweak one's interest in this film, the cast should clinch it. Jessies Matthews is Pat Wayne, Barry MacKay is Bob Deering, and Alastair Sim and Nat Pendleton head a supporting cast that will provide many laughs. Sim is an insurance detective, Taggett, on the trail of Sparkle. And, Pendleton is Smiles Hogan, a tough crook sent by big boss, Mike Otterman, to make sure Sparkle arrives safely in New York. She's got a deal to help him steal a million-dollar necklace.
The plot is superb with a wonderful screenplay. Pat gets more "excitement" than she could hope for. Bob and Detective Taggett get their man, er, woman, and Smiles gets off the hook by having to do one last job. One has to see the film for that, and the laughs up to the end will be worth it. While the film is billed as a musical also, Matthews has just a couple songs and dance numbers, and MacKay one short tune.
Two hilarious shoot-out scene are the icing of the satires. Except for a couple of broken glass panes and spotlights, nary a bullet hits any of the card tables or crooks in the first one, and no one can hit Pat in the second one. Hundreds of rounds are fired and no one hits anyone or any anything else. It's quite funny.
I think the Brits must have had a lot of fun making this picture. Some of the big Hollywood studios had facilities in England, and both English and American comedies had been made that poked fun at the English upper crust. But this may have been the first English film that poked some fun at the American scene with its gangster films. Curiously, this movie had its premiere in New York in August of 1937, and didn't open in England until January 1938.
Here are some favorite lines from this film.
Scotland Yard friend, "When you left Oxford, the university's loss was Scotland Yard's - loss." Bob Deering, "Just Oxford's gift to the criminal classes."
Bob Deering, "What belter disguise for a crook than to be a film star. Nobody'd ever suspect them of anything - except bad acting."
Assistant Commissioner Sir Brian Moore, "Don't be a fool, Deering. It's not often a policeman comes into big money - without an official enquiry."
Pat Wayne, "That's the life, Joe. You know you're alive there. Working for a newspaper means something real." Joe, "Sure. Nothing ever happens in England. Those birds in America have all the fun. Gangsters." Pat, "Riots!" Joe, "Fires." Pat, "Earthquakes." Joe, "Revolutions." Pat, "Floods." Joe, "Stick-ups." Pat, "Murders." Joe, "Gee, what a swell country to live in."
Pat Wayne, "But, chief, I can't be a lady's maid." Daily Journal editor, "You won't be. She's no lady."
Nedda Beaumont, " I see you served Lady Pendragon." Pat Wayne, looking at her reference letter, "Oh, yes, I ... I did, didn't I?"
Pat Wayne, "I'm doing my best, madam." Nedda Beaumont, "Who care about your best. It's my best that counts."
Assistant Commissioner, "You're a policeman. You're not supposed to like anyone."
Bob Deering, "I don't think you're a crook after all." Pat Wayne, "Stop talking shop." Bob, "Who's talking shop? I'm making love to you."
Bob Deering, "I'll resign from the force and have the captain marry us." Pat Wayne, "No, I can't let you marry a crime wave."
Smiles, "Watch out for Sparkle, now. We gotta hand her over in one piece, if we can."
Pat Wayne, "You're going the wrong way. That's where the shooting is." Smiles Hogan, "Cut the clownin', c'mon."
