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British Film: She Knew What She Wanted (1936)

August 17 2005 at 1:42 PM
Sally Plowright 

 

I'm doing some research on George Gershwin and I wonder if anyone can provide some further information about the film 'She Knew What She Wanted'. It is a fairly accurate screen version of Gershwin's stage musical 'Funny Face' (unlike the later film with Astaire, which bears no resemblance to the Gershwin original). It is a Wardour/Rialto film, starring Betty Ann Davies, Claude Dampier, Albert Burdon and Fred Conyngham (plus a very young Googie Withers). I have not seen the film, nor have I been able to find anyone who has, and it seems the film no longer exists (unless there's a private copy somewhere).

There are two singers in the cast list: Judy Shirley and Sam Costa, and the script makes it clear that a dance band was also featured, although the band isn't named. These two singers were working with the Maurice Winnick Orchestra at this time, so perhaps it was Winnick's band which appeared in the film.

My questions are:

1. Does anyone know if there is a copy of this film anywhere?
2. Has anyone seen it? If so, would you be willing to share your recollections of the film?
3. Are there any 78s of the songs from the film's soundtrack? Because I can't be 100% sure that Maurice Winnick's Orchestra are the featured band, it is difficult to search, but I do know exactly which songs were included in the film. These were 'Swonderful', 'Funny face', 'Tell the doc', 'Let's kiss and make up' and 'My one and only'.

I'd be really grateful for any help or information you can provide. Many thanks. Sally

 
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