Lady Is a Square, The (1959)

Herbert Wilcox directs his wife Anna Neagle and their favourite singing star Frankie Vaughan in this lightweight but charming musical comedy.

Socialite widow Frances Baring (Neagle) determines to carry on her late husband’s symphony orchestra and plans a party for Spolenski (Harold Kasket), a famous conductor from behind the Iron Curtain, and sends her daughter Joanna (Janette Scott) in search of a piano tuner.

At a music shop, Joanna hears talented but penniless young pop singer Johnny Burns (Vaughan) and Johnny, smitten by the young girl, offers her his services.

Meanwhile, Frances’s accountant Charles Norman (Wilfrid Hyde-White) reminds her that funds are running low and suggests her Symphonic Orchestra amalgamate with impresario Henry Greenslade (Christopher Rhodes) in a pop-cum-classical setup. Frances is no fan of modern music, though, and will have none of it.

Frances mistakes Johnny for a temporary butler but he decides to stay to be near Joanna. The pair quickly fall in love.

Later, Johnny’s lively manager, Freddy (Anthony Newley) informs him that he has a recording hit and Johnny uses a £3,000 advance royalty to meet Spolenski’s fee.

Frances is furious when she finds out, and there are other complications, but she finally agrees to join forces with Greenslade.

She repays Johnny and they all celebrate at ‘The Talk of The Town’ where Frances surprises everyone by partnering with Freddy in a jive session.

Despite the title’s attempt to be “hip” and “with it”, this film was dated even in 1959.

This was the last screen performance by Anna Neagle who subsequently concentrated on theatre with occasional television appearances.

Frances Baring
Anna Neagle
Johnny Burns
Frankie Vaughan
Joanna Baring
Janette Scott
Freddy
Anthony Newley
Charles Norman
Wilfrid Hyde-White
Henry Greenslade
Christopher Rhodes
Derek
Kenneth Cope
Mrs Eady
Josephine Fitzgerald
Spolenski
Harold Kasket
Fergusson
John Le Mesurier
Harry Shuttleworth
Ted Lune
Mrs Freddy
Mary Peach

Director
Herbert Wilcox