Hi Gang!

What a peculiar film. Based on a popular BBC Radio Variety show of the 40s, but apparently bearing very little resemblance to it, except for the title and the stars.

Surely one of the only British films ever largely set in the US (it does finally get to England for the last third), and to feature many English actors affecting American accents (admittedly much better than most American actors who try British accents). At least it comes naturally to Daniels and Lyon.

One has to wonder if the Brits, knowing nothing but the government monopoly of the BBC, could really appreciate a plot that's based around the rivalry between two American commercial networks.

It does have some funny spots, and some reasonably bright musical numbers, but the characters are extremely unpleasant for a morale boosting wartime comedy. Lyon and Daniels are absolutely ruthless in their efforts to top each other on behalf of their networks, and both are quite brutal towards Oliver, cast as a perpetual troublemaker. In the final scene, as the trio are flying back to America, Lyon and Daniels trick Oliver into stepping out of the plane. "But I haven't got a parachute" he shouts to them as he plummets to earth. "We know", they say cheerfully from the open plane door. We do see him then land in the water, so we know he isn't killed, but given that Oliver was married to the Prime Minister's daughter at the time, it does seem a bit unpatriotic.

A moderately enjoyable curiosity.