| The Girl Said No | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Andrew L. Stone |
| Written by | Betty Laidlaw Robert Lively |
| Starring | Robert Armstrong Irene Hervey |
| Music by | Gilbert and Sullivan |
| Distributed by | Grand National Pictures |
| Release date(s) | October 15, 1937 |
| Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Girl Said No (aka With Words and Music) is a black and white 1937 musical comedy film about a shady bookie who is in love with a greedy dance hall girl and schemes to get her back after she rejects him. Along the way, he revives a failing Gilbert and Sullivan troupe. It stars Robert Armstrong and uses musical numbers from Gilbert and Sullivan. The film was directed and produced by Andrew L. Stone.
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Jimmie (Robert Armstrong), a shady bookie, meets Mabel (Irene Hervey), a dance hall girl. He takes her out on a number of dates, pretending to be a high profile producer. Unfortunately for him, she refuses to be his girlfriend. To get his revenge, Jimmie promises to make her a Broadway star and becomes her manager. He takes her to expensive dinners and meetings with people in the top entertainment circles.
Jimmie tricks Mabel into signing a contract under which most of her earnings go to him. He persuades a defunct Gilbert and Sullivan troupe to re-form, obtains an empty theatre for a night, and fills it by blackmail. They play The Mikado, which is deservedly a hit. Overwhelmed with regret over his deceit, he proposes, and she, overwhelmed with gratitude over his support, accepts.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Sound (A. E. Kaye).[2]