Although Shipyard Sally was intended to gee up the spirits of the massive numbers of unemployed in England at the time; particularly the dockyard workers, the films intention fell flat. The "feel good" atmosphere that, "things will improve" and "we all will be OK" is pervasive.
Gracie Fields is getting tired of playing the provincial music halls, but she's appalled when her father-manager, Sydney Howard, takes her savings and buys a pub right by the Tyneside. It's a busy place -- until the next day, when the yards are closed down.
One of the most charming and easily enjoyable B musicals I have seen, "Shipyard Sally" may not have memorable songs or big dance numbers, but it slowly bowled me over with its playful whimsicality and quirky allure of its innocent cast.
I saw this movie shortly after its release just at the beginning of WW II and thoroughly enjoyed it. But its principal fame is that it by accident provided one of the most popular and relevant British songs of WW II.
