With Words and Music (1937)

★★★★★ · Almost a Damon Runyon Meets Gilbert & Sullivan · RipJarvis · 2007-02-09

This is not a film for those who don't like anything without explosions. There is what would be regarded today as a slow opening, but everything pays off in the end. Yes, it is sappy and melodramatic with a side order of saccharin, but that is not always bad. If you like Gilbert & Sullivan, and you like a bit of a caper now and then, you may just find this to be a slice of sugarry goodness.

★★★★ · "With Words And Music" still has a charm · ERD. · 2007-03-11

While the script is dated, and probably was considered mediocre even when it was filmed in 1937, the acting, musical numbers,and direction make this production entertaining and worth watching. The film still has a certain charm. Better to watch this then some of the newer movies featured on satellite & cable television.

★★★★ · a mob of fun · mesiw · 2009-07-22

A delightful little musical. Great to see the old G & S staged. If you don't try to figure it all out and just enjoy the show for what it is then it is a good movie

★★★ · A Musical Melodramitic Love Story · Poohbah70 · 2019-06-10

I couldn't sit through the whole thing - five minutes her and there - evidently I missed the part where Pearl Proctor (Irene Hervey) hurts full-or-himself bookie and horse-buying agent Jimmie Allen (Robert Armstrong) that he hatches an extravagant plot to humiliate her, which involves hurting a large group of innocent music-loving former Gilbert and Sullivan players by mounting a production of The Mikado and using an audience full people he's hired to make believe they enjoy the show. Why Pearl had any feelings for Jimmie is beyond me - not especially good-looking, fast-talking and rough…