No Lady

1931 film

8 May 1931 (1931-05-08)

Running time

70 minutesCountryUnited KingdomLanguageEnglish

No Lady is a 1931 British comedy film directed by Lupino Lane and starring Lane, Renee Clama and Sari Maritza. It was made at Lime Grove Studios in Shepherd's Bush by Gaumont British, a company linked to Gainsborough Pictures.^[1] The film sets were designed by art director Andrew Mazzei. It was popular enough to be re-released in 1943. While possibly originally intended to top the bill, it was released as a second feature and is classified as a quota quickie.^[2]

Synopsis

While on a family holiday in Blackpool, Mr Pog, a mild-mannered man, is mistaken for an international spy. He escapes a brush with the police in women's clothing which he has stolen but discovers a secret letter in the owner's handbag. This leads him to a meeting with representatives of the country of Ptomania [a thinly-disguised Germany] who are involved in an attempt to sabotage an international glider competition. A Hitler look-alike, complete with fringe, toothbrush moustache, and wild gesticulations, makes a brief appearance as the unnamed pilot of a doomed Ptomanian plane. The film also includes a song and dance routine as well as a number of slapstick moments.

Partial cast

Lupino Lane as Mr. Pog
Renee Clama as Sonia
Sari Maritza as Greta Gherkinski
Wallace Lupino as Ptomanian Ptough
Lola Hunt as Mrs. Pog
Herman Darewski And His Blackpool Tower Band
Eddie Jay as Bit Part
Sam Lee as Bit Part
Cyril McLaglen as Bit Part
Denis O'Neil as Singer
Charles Stone as Bit Part

References

^ Wood p.69
^ Chibnall p.261

Bibliography

Chibnall, Steve. Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute, 2007.
Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927–1939. British Film Institute, 1986.