Joan Greenwood (Sabina Pennant), Nigel Patrick (Rodney Pennant), Derek Farr (Bruce Banning), Guy Middleton (Victor Manifold), Athene Seyler (Nanny Gallop), Helen Cherry (Mary Banning), Audrey Hepburn (Eve Lester), Fabia Drake (Nurse Blott), Irene Handl, Joan Sanderson (nurses — Regents Park), Selma Vaz Dias (Ayah), Jack McNaughton (taxi driver), Brian Oulton (man in pub), Carol James (Elizabeth).
Director: HENRY CASS. Screenplay: Anne Burnaby. Based on the 1949 stage play by Ronald Jeans. Photography: Erwin Hillier. Film editor: E. Jarvis. Music composed by Philip Green, played by the Associated British Studio Orchestra, conducted by Louis Levy. Art director: Terence Verity. Make-up: Bob Clark. Hair styles: A. G. Scott. Set continuity: Thelma Orr. Camera operator: Norman Warwick. Scenario editor: Frederic Gottfurt. Production manager: William A. Whittaker. Sound recording director: Harold V. King. RCA Sound System. Producer: Victor Skutezky.
Copyright 15 August 1952 by Stratford Pictures Corp. New York opening at the Paris: 3 November 1952. U.S. release through Stratford: 9 June 1952. Made by Associated British Picture Corp., London. Released in the U.K. through Associated British-Pathe: 12 November 1951. Australian release through 20th Century-Fox: 23 April 1953 (sic). 7,108 feet. 79 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: The housing shortage causes two families to share the one house.
COMMENT: Little more than a photographed stage play. Only the slightest bit of opening-out is attempted. The core of the script is indifferent, with humor of the most basic and elementary slapstick and the usual stage caricatures.
Nigel Patrick plays the bumbling, fall-over-anything-and-everything dad; Joan Greenwood the put-upon housewife who yearns to be glamorous; Guy Middleton once again cast as a ridiculously obvious would-be seducer; Helen Cherry is the toughie with a job; while Derek Farr essays the mild-mannered spouse; Athene Seyler does her bit as a doting nanny; while last but certainly not least in this second-rate company, Audrey Hepburn appears as a man-shy butterfly.
Yes, I realize Audrey's presence is the main reason anyone would want to see this film, but be warned her role is small, though it does run through the whole play. In fact she has a couple of scenes and even a few close-ups. Although she acts in her usual prissy style (more so, if anything), she is neither flatteringly photographed nor costumed. Still fans will not have any trouble recognizing her. You can close your eyes even. That too-too upper- echelon voice and that arch dialogue delivery is an absolute trademark.
Three or four very mild jokes enliven the single plot twist (the boofhead nanny gets the two couples confused) before an ineptly staged slapstick finale finally puts both audience and cast out of their misery.
Cass's direction is surprisingly pedestrian. He's supposed to be a first-class and totally experienced Joe, but I wouldn't even engage him to direct traffic in a one-way street. Photography and other credits are also distinctly second class; and production values rate definitely way below economy class.
Director: HENRY CASS. Screenplay: Anne Burnaby. Based on the 1949 stage play by Ronald Jeans. Photography: Erwin Hillier. Film editor: E. Jarvis. Music composed by Philip Green, played by the Associated British Studio Orchestra, conducted by Louis Levy. Art director: Terence Verity. Make-up: Bob Clark. Hair styles: A. G. Scott. Set continuity: Thelma Orr. Camera operator: Norman Warwick. Scenario editor: Frederic Gottfurt. Production manager: William A. Whittaker. Sound recording director: Harold V. King. RCA Sound System. Producer: Victor Skutezky.
Copyright 15 August 1952 by Stratford Pictures Corp. New York opening at the Paris: 3 November 1952. U.S. release through Stratford: 9 June 1952. Made by Associated British Picture Corp., London. Released in the U.K. through Associated British-Pathe: 12 November 1951. Australian release through 20th Century-Fox: 23 April 1953 (sic). 7,108 feet. 79 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: The housing shortage causes two families to share the one house.
COMMENT: Little more than a photographed stage play. Only the slightest bit of opening-out is attempted. The core of the script is indifferent, with humor of the most basic and elementary slapstick and the usual stage caricatures.
Nigel Patrick plays the bumbling, fall-over-anything-and-everything dad; Joan Greenwood the put-upon housewife who yearns to be glamorous; Guy Middleton once again cast as a ridiculously obvious would-be seducer; Helen Cherry is the toughie with a job; while Derek Farr essays the mild-mannered spouse; Athene Seyler does her bit as a doting nanny; while last but certainly not least in this second-rate company, Audrey Hepburn appears as a man-shy butterfly.
Yes, I realize Audrey's presence is the main reason anyone would want to see this film, but be warned her role is small, though it does run through the whole play. In fact she has a couple of scenes and even a few close-ups. Although she acts in her usual prissy style (more so, if anything), she is neither flatteringly photographed nor costumed. Still fans will not have any trouble recognizing her. You can close your eyes even. That too-too upper- echelon voice and that arch dialogue delivery is an absolute trademark.
Three or four very mild jokes enliven the single plot twist (the boofhead nanny gets the two couples confused) before an ineptly staged slapstick finale finally puts both audience and cast out of their misery.
Cass's direction is surprisingly pedestrian. He's supposed to be a first-class and totally experienced Joe, but I wouldn't even engage him to direct traffic in a one-way street. Photography and other credits are also distinctly second class; and production values rate definitely way below economy class.