With Words and Music (1937) Director & Writer: Andrew L. Stone Studio: Andrew L. Stone Productions (for Grand National Pictures) Starring: Robert Armstrong, Irene Hervey, Paula Stone Release Year: 1937 Runtime: ~72 minutes (1h 12m) Format: Black & White | Mono | Sound | Musical Comedy Country: United States Language: English Genre: Musical | Comedy | Romance --- Summary: Jimmie Allen, a small-time bookie, is humiliated when dancer Pearl Lambert rejects him and scams his money. In a vengeful scheme, he passes himself off as a talent scout and recruits Pearl into a deliberately shabby revue of The Mikado, using a down-on-its-luck Gilbert and Sullivan troupe. Unexpectedly, the production becomes a Broadway hit and Jimmie finds himself in over his head—now responsible for the troupe's success and caught in a romantic entanglement with Pearl. The film blends rapid-fire comedy with musical numbers, showcasing Andrew Stone’s early flair for entertainment and song. --- Background: Based on The Girl Said No, this musical comedy was one of Andrew L. Stone’s early projects before he became known for realistic crime dramas like Cry Terror! (1958). Stone crafted the stage show from surplus musical numbers cut from Fox Movietone Follies of 1929, tailored around Irene Hervey and Robert Armstrong’s comic talents. Its staging of Gilbert and Sullivan routines earned it an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound in 1938. --- Trivia: Originally titled The Girl Said No, the film was retitled With Words and Music upon release. It received an Oscar nomination for Best Sound in 1938 for its dynamic theatrical numbers. Paula Stone—Andrew Stone’s wife and collaborator—stars in the film. Despite being a musical,* it's now a rare and somewhat forgotten example of 1930s Broadway‑style screen entertainment. The film survives in public domain and is available on DVD through With Words and Music releases. --- Hashtags: #WithWordsAndMusic #AndrewLStone #1930sMusical #GilbertAndSullivan #MovieMusical #PublicDomainFilm #RobertArmstrong #IreneHervey #PaulaStone #ClassicMusical #BroadwayComedy@endsection