Break the News (film)
Break the News is a 1938 British musical comedy film directed by René Clair and starring Jack Buchanan, Maurice Chevalier and June Knight. Two struggling performers decide to create a fake murder scandal in order to drum up publicity for their act. It was based on the novel Le mort en fuite by Loïc Le Gouriadec which had previously been made into a 1936 French film Death on the Run. Songs featured include It All Belongs to You (Cole Porter, sung by Chevalier) and We're Old Buddies (Van Phillips, Jack Buchanan, sung by Chevalier and Buchanan). Cast
 Maurice Chevalier as François Verrier
 Jack Buchanan as Teddy Enton
 June Knight as Grace Gatwick
 Marta Labarr as Sonia
 Gertrude Musgrove as Helena
 Garry Marsh as Producer
 Wallace Douglas as Stage manager
 Joss Ambler as Press agent
 Mark Daly as Property man
 Gibb McLaughlin as Superintendent
 Robb Wilton as cab driver
 Felix Aylmer as Sir George Bickory
 C. Denier Warren as Sir Edward Phring
 George Hayes as Tribunal President
 Guy Middleton as Englishman
 Athole Stewart as Governor
 Charles Lefeaux as Interpreter
 D.J. Williams as Judge
 Elliott Mason as Dresser
 J. Abercomie as Neighbor
 William Fazan as  Passport Official
 H.R. Hignett as Prison Guard
 Wally Patch as Prison Guard
 Hal Gordon as Prison Guard
 George Benson as Firing Squad Officer
 Nigel Stock as Stage Boy

Critical reception
Allmovie wrote, "What a combination! Break the News boasted the talents of English stage star Jack Buchanan, French entertainer Maurice Chevalier, legendary director Rene Clair, and songwriter Cole Porter. But what should have made for dynamite entertainment, fizzled in the eyes of disappointed contemporary reviewers" ; as The New York Times put it, "there is little to suggest the old Clair wit and humor." However, TV Guide wrote, "the always enchanting Buchanan and Chevalier are a pleasure to watch in this funny, energetic musical that features some hilariously suspenseful sequences. Although it may not rank with director Clair's French classics, this perfect piece of British entertainment holds its own special place." References

External links

1938 films
1938 musical comedy films
British musical comedy films
1930s English-language films
Films directed by René Clair
British black-and-white films
Films shot at Pinewood Studios
British remakes of French films
Films set in London
1930s British films