Irene (1940)
Directed by Herbert Wilcox

Film Review

After the success of her Hollywood debut feature Nurse Edith Cavell (1939), Anna Neagle made an effortless transition to  musical comedy with Irene, the first of three such films she made for RKO.  Based on an enormously popular Broadway show, the film paired Neagle with Ray Milland and allowed the actress to widen her repertoire considerably, as she proved her talent not only as a comic actress but also as a singer and dancer in the film's lavish musical numbers.  The film's most memorable quirk is its abrupt switch from black and white to glorious Technicolor as Neagle makes a spectacular entrance in her famous 'Alice Blue Gown'.   With Billie Burke suitably cast as a ditzy socialite and May Robson lending her support as Neagle's fussy grandmother, Irene is an enjoyable light-hearted romp, although the comedy now feels decidedly dated and the musical numbers have nothing like the scale and impact of earlier RKO musicals.

Film Synopsis

Upholsterer's assistant Irene O'Dare is measuring chairs for the socialite Mrs Vincent when she meets Don Marshall, a wealthy playboy.  Having fallen for Irene's Gaelic charms, Don purchases an exclusive fashion house, Madame Lucy, so that she can gain employment as a model.  Irene adores her new job, but her grandmother is far from impressed and berates her for exposing herself in public in skimpy clothes she could never afford to own.  To promote Madame Lucy's latest line, Don arranges for Irene to attend a society evening at Mrs Vincent's house.  Having ruined the dress she was supposed to wear, Irene turns up in a handsome blue number that belonged to her mother.  Not only does she turn out to be the belle of the ball, she also attracts the attention of her host's son, Bob...