The first film adaptation, and most faithful, of Noel Coward's 1929 operetta Bitter Sweet. This tells the story of Sarah Linden's romance, the tale begins with Sarah, now older, reminiscing about her first love. As a young girl Sarah falls in love with Carl, a musician, and runs off with him to Vienna. They are happily wed and Carl earns a living conducting a small orchestra. Enter a certain Captain who sets his eye on Sarah and proceeds to shower her with his attentions, much to her dismay.
Acting
Neagle's luminous transformation from girl to grieving woman.
Score
Coward's melodies that somehow make heartbreak hummable.
Costume
Edwardian opulence meets 1930s Hollywood sheen.
Director
Herbert Wilcox
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Anna Neagle's breakthrough role, launching her as Britain's biggest box office star and future Dame.
Coward wrote the role of Carl for a male soprano; the 1933 film lowered keys for Gravey, losing some operatic strangeness.
GB
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