The Mikado (1939)

When confronted with marriage to an older unpleasant lady (Constance Willis) of the court, the young son (Kenny Baker) of the Emperor of Japan (John Barclay) flees. Disguised as a wandering minstrel, he falls in love with a young maid (Jean Colin) who is betrothed to the Lord High Executioner (Martyn Green). Based on the operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan and directed by Victor Schertzinger (ROAD TO SINGAPORE). The operetta has been adapted with some cuts and edits from the original show which might displease the G&S purists. With the exception of the American singer Kenny Baker (perhaps a sop to the U.S. box office), the rest of the cast are Brits and include many performers from the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company who are renowned for their expert G&S productions. As cinema, it's on the dull side although the gorgeous three strip Technicolor cinematography by William V. Skall is stunning and received an Oscar nomination. Marcel Vertes' production and costume design are also lushly handsome. If you're not a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan or operetta in general, this will probably prove tough going. It's a rather uninspired production but it has its moments. With Sydney Granville and Elizabeth Paynter.