Limelight | |
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Poster ad from the Sunday Mercury, 1936
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Directed by | Herbert Wilcox |
Produced by | Herbert Wilcox |
Written by | Laura Whetter |
Starring |
Arthur Tracy Anna Neagle Jane Winton Ellis Jeffreys |
Music by | Geraldo |
Cinematography | Freddie Young |
Production
company |
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Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date
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January 1936 |
Running time
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80 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Limelight is a 1936 British musical film directed by Herbert Wilcox and starring Arthur Tracy, Anna Neagle and Jane Winton. It was released in the U.S. as Backstage.
When chorus girl Marjorie (Anna Neagle) discovers singer Bob (Arthur Tracy) busking in the streets, and the star of her show falls ill, she persuades her producer to give him a break. Sure enough, Bob becomes an overnight sensation, but success unfortunately goes to his head.
The film was made by Wilcox's independent production company at his Elstree Studios and was distributed by J. Arthur Rank's newly formed General Film Distributors, ending a previous arrangement Wilcox had with United Artists. The film was an attempt to make a more populist contemporary hit, moving away from the more expensive costume pictures such as Nell Gwynn and Peg of Old Drury which Wilcox had recently made starring Anna Neagle. For this film Wilcox partnered her with the popular American singer Arthur Tracy.
This drama musical romance features Arthur Tracy's street singing. The film's Dance Director was Ralph Reader. His work was so appreciated by Herbert Wilcox that he created a part for Reader to dance with Neagle in the actual film.
Allmovie wrote, "in addition to the two stars, Limelight is enlivened by the dancing prowess of the legendary Tilly Losch; also showing up for an uncredited cameo is stage and screen luminary Jack Buchanan.