Features

Primary navigation

• The Ultimate Film Chart
• By decade
• Alphabetically
• Complete list

Light Comedy. In post-war London a new footman, Richard, is engaged at the home of Joshua Howard, art collector, whose niece and secretary, Judy, has her doubts that Richard is the footman he pretends to be. In actuality he is Lord Brent, brother of one of Judy's suitors, the Marquis of Borechester. He went to America to sell some old paintings to restore the family fortunes and on the way back received a message that the cheque he was given for the paintings is invalid. He decides to hide until he can save enough money to return to America, and for this reason masquerades as a footman. He and Judy fall in love, and he is about to return to America when they discover that the purchaser's cheque is valid after all.

Here an old and sorely tried story has been taken and transformed by Nicholas Phipps into a brilliant script bubbling over with gaiety and wit. It is an invitation to sit back and relax; there are no inhibitions, high ideas or psychiatry. Nicholas Phipps himself contributes the perfect sketch of a bore telling an unfunny story in the funniest way. Anna Neagle is charming as Judy and Peter Graves gives a recognizable performance as an overbearingly conceited film star. Tom Walls and Marjorie Fielding, and, indeed, everyone in the cast, give the impression they are thoroughly enjoying themselves. Each character deserves merit, but it is really Michael Wilding's film. With the lightest of touches he makes full use of every line of his script. He is tender, audacious and lovable, with the indefinable quality of charm.

Helper links

• Contact us
• Help
• Terms of use
• Privacy
• Linking
• Site map
• Accessibility/standards