FIRST A GIRL. Gaumont British Picture Corp., 1936. Jessie Matthews, Sonnie Hale, Anna Lee, Griffith Jones. Director: Victor Saville. Shown at Cinecon 27, Hollywood CA, September 1993.

   This Jessie Matthews musical remake of the 1933 German film, Viktor und Victoria, was screened in the restored El Capitan theater. I was captivated by Matthews (whom I had never seen before). She’s one of the great favorites at Cinefest, and I can see why: A charming comedienne, a lovely dancer, and at least as good as Julie Andrews in the Blake Edwards version.

   The opening musical number featuring a dance by Matthews won me over immediately. I was putty in her hands (or under her feet) from that moment on.

Editorial Comment:   The movie was released on VHS (see image), but never, as far as I’ve been able to discover, on DVD.