Evergreen

Matthews, the stallholder's daughter from Berwick Street, paid heavily for the acclaim she won as Britain's leading musical star. Despite Saville's sympathetic direction, she suffered horrifying nervous rashes and temporary mental breakdown during the making of this, her most famous film. She nevertheless gives a dazzling performance in the dual role of a famous music hall star and the daughter, an unemployed chorus-girl, who impersonates her in a desperate bid for fame and fortune. If Saville fails to explore the sexual undertones of the story, the exciting post-Metropolis sets designed by Alfred Junge provide an impressive showcase for Jessie's elfin beauty and superb dancing (to a Rodgers and Hart score).