Jul 9th
The Strawberry Blonde** (U)
(National Film Theatre)

(US 1941)

A down-on-his-luck aspiring dentist loses out on the local beauty to his conniving friend and marries a headstrong nurse instead, but comes to realise in time that this wasn't such a bad thing after all.
Simple and charming evocation of turn of the 20th century New York (with the title derived from a hit song of the period), a romantic comedy vehicle for James Cagney - a genre that doesn't sit perfectly for him, but still with some characteristic tough guy flourishes, and generally a pleasing entertainment. Screened at the NFT in celebration of recent centenarian Olivia de Havilland.

Written by: Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, based on the play "One Sunday Afternoon" by James Hagan.
Producers: Hal B. Wallis, William Cagney.
Director: Raoul Walsh.
Starring: James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland, Rita Hayworth, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, George Tobias, Una O'Connor, George Reeves.
Photography: James Wong Hoe.
Music: Heinz Roemheld.