''Love Comes Along'' is a 1930 American

romantic film Romance films or movies involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters. Typically their journey ...

directed by

Rupert Julian Rupert Julian (born Thomas Percival Hayes; 25 January 1879 – 27 December 1943) was a New Zealand cinema actor, director, writer and producer. During his career, Julian directed 60 films and acted in over 90 films. He is best remembered for di ...

, written by Wallace Smith, based on the uncompleted play ''Conchita'' by

Edward Knoblock Edward Knoblock (born Edward Gustavus Knoblauch; 7 April 1874 – 19 July 1945) was a playwright and novelist, originally American and later a naturalised British citizen. He wrote numerous plays, often at the rate of two or three a year, of whic ...

. It was a vehicle specifically picked to highlight the vocal talents of

Bebe Daniels Phyllis Virginia "Bebe" Daniels (January 14, 1901 – March 16, 1971) was an American actress, singer, dancer, writer, and producer. She began her career in Hollywood during the silent film era as a child actress, became a star in musicals such ...

, which also starred Lloyd Hughes and

Montagu Love Montagu Love (15 March 1877 – 17 May 1943) was an English screen, stage and vaudeville actor. Early years Born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, Love was the son of Harry Love and Fanny Louisa Love, née Poad; his father was listed as accountant ...

. It made a profit of $258,000. An incomplete print has long been preserved in the

Library of Congress The Library of Congress (LOC) is the research library that officially serves the United States Congress and is the ''de facto'' national library of the United States. It is the oldest federal cultural institution in the country. The library is ...

collection.

Plot

An actress, Peggy, is stranded on the island of Caparoja, which is ruled by a local dictator, Sangredo. For a living, she sings in the local tavern, where she is seen by two sailors from a tramp steamer who are visiting the port, Johnny and Happy. Johnny falls in love with Peggy and plans to marry her, rescuing her from her exile. However, Sangredo hires Peggy to perform at a party he is throwing, when the original singer, Carlotta, backs out. When Johnny finds out about the agreement, he misunderstands their relationship, and blows up at her. Peggy gets furious in turn over the fact he could believe that about her, and calls the wedding off. At the party, Peggy relents, and sings a love song directly to Johnny, which angers Sangredo. He orders that Johnny be arrested, but Peggy steps forward to intercede on his behalf. She offers to spend the night with Sangredo, if he will release Johnny and let him sail with his steamer. He agrees, and Johnny is escorted to his ship. However, Johnny and Happy, sneak back to the town and break Peggy out of Sangredo's house. Fleeing, they board the steamer, escaping from the island.

Cast

as Peggy * Lloyd Hughes as Johnny *

as Sangredo *

Ned Sparks Ned Sparks (born Edward Arthur Sparkman, November 19, 1883 – April 3, 1957) was a Canadian-born character actor of the American stage and screen. He was known for his deadpan expression and comically nasal, monotone delivery. Life and career ...

as Happy *

Lionel Belmore Lionel Belmore (12 May 1867 – 30 January 1953) was an English character actor and director on stage for more than a quarter of a century. Life and career Onstage, Belmore appeared with Wilson Barrett, Sir Henry Irving, William Faversham, Lil ...

as Brownie *

Alma Tell Alma Tell (March 27, 1898 – December 29, 1937) was an American stage and motion picture actress whose career in cinema began in 1915 and lasted into the sound films of the early 1930s. Early years Tell was born in New York City, the youn ...

as Carlotta *

Evelyn Selbie Evelyn Selbie (July 6, 1871 – December 7, 1950) was an American stage actress and performer in both silent and sound films. Biography Born in Louisville, Kentucky, as a young woman Selbie was a sidesaddle rider. She had a career which last ...

as Bianca *

Sam Appel Sam Appel (August 8, 1871 – June 18, 1947) was a Mexican-born American character actor of the silent and sound film eras. He appeared in forty films during his 28-year career, mostly in supporting roles. Filmography (Per AFI database) *''S ...

as Gómez

Songs

* "Night Winds" - performed by Bebe Daniels * "Until Love Comes Along" - performed by Bebe Daniels * "I Am a Simple Maid" - performed by Bebe Daniels * "A Sailor's Life" - Performed by Lloyd Hughes; reprised by Bebe Daniels and Lloyd Hughes LoveComesAlongLC

Reception

With a lower budget, audiences noted the drop in production quality in ''Love Comes Along'' when compared to Daniels' prior successful film '' Rio Rita'' (1929), but they did enjoy her songs.

Notes

This film is based on the play ''Conchita'' by Edward Knoblock, which according to his papers, which are saved on the campus of

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

in the rare books collection in the

Houghton Library Houghton Library, on the south side of Harvard Yard adjacent to Widener Library, is Harvard University's primary repository for rare books and manuscripts. It is part of the Harvard College Library, the library system of Harvard's Faculty of Art ...

, was never completed, with only an outline existing. The film is also known by its Italian title, ''Ecco l'amore!''

References

External links

* * * {{Rupert Julian 1930 films American romantic musical films 1930s romantic musical films American black-and-white films RKO Pictures films American films based on plays Films directed by Rupert Julian 1930s American films 1930s English-language films