Copyright 1955 by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat Productions. U.S. release through Associated Artists: 5 January 1955. New York opening at the Plaza: 22 December 1954. U.K. release through British Lion: 15 November 1954. London trade show: 2 September 1954. London premiere at the Gaumont Haymarket: 1 October 1954. Australian release through London Films/Universal-International: 5 May 1955. 8,190 feet. 91 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Crooked bookies try to waylay a famous racehorse, but their plot is foiled by the alert gambling girls of St Trinian's.
NOTES: One of the U.K. box-office's top ten successes of 1954, the film did less well in Australia (not even placing in the top thirty for 1955).
COMMENT: This is the first of four films inspired by the anarchic cartoons of Ronald Searle. The others: Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957), The Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960), The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966). All were produced by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. Like all the others, this first attempt is something of a disappointment to those of us who relish the macabre humor and anti-Establishment content of the cartoons. In fact the film nowhere comes near the malicious wit and fiendish humor devised by Searle. All the same, on its more elemental and routine level of bucket-on-the-head slapstick, it does produce its fair quota of diverting moments. (Odd to see Ronald Searle and his wife giving their imprimatur to the proceedings by appearing on camera as a couple of irate parents). The players, fortunately, are first rate, taking their cue from Alastair Sim who produces a delightfully fruity performance in his dual role. Other favorites who distinguish themselves here are Joyce Grenfell, Hermione Baddeley and the wonderfully lop-sided George Cole (invariably accompanied by a deliciously amusing musical motif from Malcolm Arnold's orchestra).
SYNOPSIS: Crooked bookies try to waylay a famous racehorse, but their plot is foiled by the alert gambling girls of St Trinian's.
NOTES: One of the U.K. box-office's top ten successes of 1954, the film did less well in Australia (not even placing in the top thirty for 1955).
COMMENT: This is the first of four films inspired by the anarchic cartoons of Ronald Searle. The others: Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957), The Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960), The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966). All were produced by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. Like all the others, this first attempt is something of a disappointment to those of us who relish the macabre humor and anti-Establishment content of the cartoons. In fact the film nowhere comes near the malicious wit and fiendish humor devised by Searle. All the same, on its more elemental and routine level of bucket-on-the-head slapstick, it does produce its fair quota of diverting moments. (Odd to see Ronald Searle and his wife giving their imprimatur to the proceedings by appearing on camera as a couple of irate parents). The players, fortunately, are first rate, taking their cue from Alastair Sim who produces a delightfully fruity performance in his dual role. Other favorites who distinguish themselves here are Joyce Grenfell, Hermione Baddeley and the wonderfully lop-sided George Cole (invariably accompanied by a deliciously amusing musical motif from Malcolm Arnold's orchestra).