Videos and DVDs
Many of Jessies films have appeared on video during the past 15 years, however only a handful are widely available today. Those pictured below are occasionally available at selected stores in the UK, and USA eg. HMV, and at well known internet outlets like Englewood Entertainment, and amazon.com Titles that are very hard to get hold of include "Waltzes From Vienna", "The Good Companions", Climbing High" and "Candles At Nine".
Other internet sites worth visiting to try to find them would include:
VIDEOFLICKS
MOVIES UNLIMITED
Unfortunately though an outlet may advertize a title it is no guarantee that they will be able to supply you with a copy. Even the more recent titles pictured below are usually in short supply and often sold out. Happy collecting!.....
Candles At Nine
An unscary thriller. Despite a turgid script and unremarkable performance, the film is worth seeing for Jessie entertaining the audience for one energetic dance number, if not for her performance amidst the spookless goings on.
Edward & Mrs Simpson
One of
Jessie's most notable performances on television as Mrs Simpson's sparkling Aunt Bessie, in the BAFTA winning production of "Edward and Mrs Simpson" made for ITV in 1979. Edward abandoned his crown for the woman he loved - a divorced American, bringing his short reign to an end at the close of 1936. This series follows the relationship and the crisis concentrating on the love affair amongst a political storm.
.
Evergreen
Notes
This film is also available on laserdisk.
Among the best of musicals based on the play by Benn W Levy. Songbird Harriet Green (Jessie) assumes the identity and enacts a stage return of her famous dead mother. With Sonnie Hale and Betty Balfour. Jessie sings "When You've Got A Little Springtime In Your Heart", "Dancing On The Ceiling" "Tinkle, Tinkle, Tinkle" and "Over My Shoulder"
First A Girl
Based on the play "Viktor Und Viktoria" by Reinhold Schunzel. Superior Musical Remake. Fashion house shop packer, Elizabeth (Jessie), makes the big time when she steps in for a female impersonator. A Mega song and dance spectacular. Jessie's songs include "Say the Word and It's Yours", "I Can Wiggle My Ears", "Everything's in Rhythm With My Heart, and "Little Silk Worm".
Forever & a Day
This is also available on DVD Region1
A collection of stories about the occupants of a London House from 1804 to the blitz in 1941. Jessie plays Mildred Temple, back from India to buy a portrait of an ancestor. With Anna Neagle, Gladys Cooper, Merle Oberon, Ray Milland, Dame May Whitty, Claude Rains, Elsa Lanchester, C Aubery Smith, Ida Lupino, Robert Cummings and Herbert Marshall. Proceeds of the film went to the British and American Red Cross.
Friday The Thirteenth
Drama based on a story by G H Moresby-White and Sidney Gilliat; collision course for passengers of a night bus. Staring Jessie as Millie - a career in the chorus threatens engagement to fiance. With Sir Ralph Richardson, Sonnie Hale, Max Miller, Ursula Jeans and Martita Hunt.
Gangway
Notes
Musical Comedy based on a story by Dwight Taylor.Journalist Pat Wayne (Jessie) takes undercover employment as a maid to Socialite, becomes embroiled in search for Jewel thief. Leads to shoot out with gangsters across the Atlantic. Jessie finds love in the dashing detective. Jessie's songs include, "When You Gotta Sing", "Lord and Lady Whozies", "Moon or No Moon" and "Gangway".
The Good Companions
Starring Jessie Matthews, John Gielgud, Edmund Gwenn, Mary Glynne, Percy Parsons, George Zucco. Screenplay by W.P. Lipscomb, Angus Macphail, Ian Dalrymple, based on the play by J.B. Priestley. Musical director: Louis Levy. Songs by George Posford. Produced by Michael Balcon and George Pearson. Directed by Victor Saville.
.
Evergreen
This film is also available on laserdisk.
Among the best of musicals based on the play by Benn W Levy. Songbird Harriet Green (Jessie) assumes the identity and enacts a stage return of her famous dead mother. With Sonnie Hale and Betty Balfour. Jessie sings "When You've Got A Little Springtime In Your Heart", "Dancing On The Ceiling" "Tinkle, Tinkle, Tinkle" and "Over My Shoulder"
First A Girl
Based on the play "Viktor Und Viktoria" by Reinhold Schunzel. Superior Musical Remake. Fashion house shop packer, Elizabeth (Jessie), makes the big time when she steps in for a female impersonator. A Mega song and dance spectacular. Jessie's songs include "Say the Word and It's Yours", "I Can Wiggle My Ears", "Everything's in Rhythm With My Heart, and "Little Silk Worm".
Forever & a Day
This is also available on DVD Region1
A collection of stories about the occupants of a London House from 1804 to the blitz in 1941. Jessie plays Mildred Temple, back from India to buy a portrait of an ancestor. With Anna Neagle, Gladys Cooper, Merle Oberon, Ray Milland, Dame May Whitty, Claude Rains, Elsa Lanchester, C Aubery Smith, Ida Lupino, Robert Cummings and Herbert Marshall. Proceeds of the film went to the British and American Red Cross.
Friday The Thirteenth
Drama based on a story by G H Moresby-White and Sidney Gilliat; collision course for passengers of a night bus. Staring Jessie as Millie - a career in the chorus threatens engagement to fiance. With Sir Ralph Richardson, Sonnie Hale, Max Miller, Ursula Jeans and Martita Hunt.
Gangway
Notes
Musical Comedy based on a story by Dwight Taylor.Journalist Pat Wayne (Jessie) takes undercover employment as a maid to Socialite, becomes embroiled in search for Jewel thief. Leads to shoot out with gangsters across the Atlantic. Jessie finds love in the dashing detective. Jessie's songs include, "When You Gotta Sing", "Lord and Lady Whozies", "Moon or No Moon" and "Gangway".
The Good Companions
Starring Jessie Matthews, John Gielgud, Edmund Gwenn, Mary Glynne, Percy Parsons, George Zucco. Screenplay by W.P. Lipscomb, Angus Macphail, Ian Dalrymple, based on the play by J.B. Priestley. Musical director: Louis Levy. Songs by George Posford. Produced by Michael Balcon and George Pearson. Directed by Victor Saville.
First A Girl
Forever & a Day
Friday The Thirteenth
Gangway
The Good Companions
An splendid screen musical starring Jessie Matthews as a rising star on tour with John Gielgud and Edmund Gwenn, trying to revive a floundering pierrot troupe. This inspired film, based on J.B. Preistley's famous play, was the big break for Jessie Matthews that lead to EVERGREEN, the musical that propelled her into international stardom. In this film, you can see why. This crisp, brilliant presentation has been digitally remastered for the most discriminating viewer.
Originally released 1933 • 113 min./b&w/mono
Recorded in Standard Play (SP) Mode
Head Over Heels
Romantic musical based on "Pierre ou Jac" by Francois de Crosset. Love triangle between caberet singer Jeanne (Jessie), playboy Marcel (Louis Borell) and engenue Pierre (Robert Flemyng). Jessie's songs include "Head Over Heels In Love", "There's That Look in Your Eyes Again", "Looking Around Corners For You", and "May I Have This next Romance With You".
Hound Of The Baskervilles
Jessie had only a very brief appearance in this tongue in cheek version of the classic thriller. Film offers at this late stage in Jessie's career were exctreemly few and far between and Jessie needed the money. Sadly it was Jessie's last appearance on the big screen.
.
Its Love Again
.Its Love Again
Notes
Musical based on a story by Marion Dix about a chorus girl, Elaine (Jessie), who invents and becomes an exotic mysterious socialite to help her friend's news column. Exotic extravagent production numbers Hollywood would find difficult to match. With Robert Young, Sonnie Hale. Jessie's songs include, "I Nearly Let Love Go Slipping Through My Fingers", "Gotta Dance My Way To Heaven", "It's Love Again", and "Tony's in Town".
Musical Romance based on a story by Selwyn Jepson. Kay Martin (Jessie) gives up stardom for the love of a bargee's son. Jessie's songs include "Trusting My Luck", "Your Heart Skips A Beat", "Souvenir of Love" and "My River".
The Man From Toronto
The Man From Toronto
Notes
Zany Douglas Murray comedy starring Jessie as an heiress put to task as a maid with Ian Hunter.
Tales Of The Unexpected, Third Series
Jessie Starred in the episode entitled 'A Picture Of A Place'. This was Jessie's last work for television. A marvelous performance and terriffic storyline concerning a crafty antique dealer and vunerable old lady who is trying to make ends meet in her country cottage.
There Goes The Bride
Notes
A Comedy by Herman Kosterlitz / Wolfgang Wilhelm starring Jessie as Annette Marquand running away from her impending Marriage to be mistaken as a thief. With Owen Nares. Jessie Sings "I'll Stay With You" and "You Are The One For Me".
Tom Thumb
Excellent childrens musical based on the Brothers Grimm, with Jessie as Anna the woodcutters wife and Ros Tamblyn as tiny Tom thumb taken in by the kindly couple but exploited by villainous Terry-Thomas and henchman Sellers. Charming Puppetoons sequences, Oscar winning special effects, perfect Peggy Lee - Sonny Burke score. Filmed in England. Available on DVD and VHS
Tales Of The Unexpected, Third Series
Tales Of The Unexpected, Third Series
There Goes The Bride
Notes
A Comedy by Herman Kosterlitz / Wolfgang Wilhelm starring Jessie as Annette Marquand running away from her impending Marriage to be mistaken as a thief. With Owen Nares. Jessie Sings "I'll Stay With You" and "You Are The One For Me".
Tom Thumb
Excellent childrens musical based on the Brothers Grimm, with Jessie as Anna the woodcutters wife and Ros Tamblyn as tiny Tom thumb taken in by the kindly couple but exploited by villainous Terry-Thomas and henchman Sellers. Charming Puppetoons sequences, Oscar winning special effects, perfect Peggy Lee - Sonny Burke score. Filmed in England. Available on DVD and VHS