Lord Richard In The Pantry

BFI Most Wanted: the hunt for Britain's missing films

Directed by Walter Forde, 1930

Knockabout caper by one of the foremost comedy directors of the 1930s.

Lord Richard (Richard Cooper) operating undercover as a butler.

Credits

Director Production Company Producer Script Original Play Photography Editor	Walter Forde Twickenham Film Studios Julius Hagen, Henry Edwards Harry Fowler Mear (and Sidney Gilliat, uncredited) Sydney Blow, Douglas Hoare Sidney Blythe Jack Harris
Cast: Richard Cooper (Lord Richard Sandridge); Dorothy Seacombe (Sylvia Garland); Marjorie Hume (Lady Violet Elliott); Frederick Volpe (Sir Charles Bundleman); Leo Sheffield (Carter); Alexander Field (Sam); Gladys Hamer (Gladys); Barbara Gott (Cook); Viola Lyel (Evelyn Lovejoy); Charles Stone (Captain Bannister); Harry Terry (Bert); Helena Pickard
95 mins, sound, black & white.

Why are we so keen to find it?

Walter Forde was one of only two great silent comics at work in Britain (the other was Fred Evans, aka Pimple). He moved into directing features in the late 1920s, initially starring in them as well, but gradually concentrating on working behind the camera, directing The Ghost Train (1931; still no complete copy of this exists) and Rome Express (1932) among many others. A retrospective of his work was presented at the National Film Theatre in 1977 but since then several of his features, as well as some of his comedy shorts, have been donated to the Archive. This one, however, remains unseen.

What's it about?

From The Bioscope (30 July 1930):

Lord Richard is Chairman of Sandridge-on-Sea Development Company, but a child in business. When a slump occurs a stormy meeting takes place, and he is held responsible. In financial difficulties, he decides to let his town mansion, and hearing a warrant is out for his arrest disguises himself, crawls into the kitchen of his house, and arranges with the butler to take his place. The new tenant, a fascinating young widow, pierces his disguise, but having always entertained a good opinion of the young nobleman, remains silent. Love rapidly develops between the pair, and when the Government takes over Sandridge for a sewage farm a marriage is arranged.

Last seen?

The film was trade shown on 24 July 1930 and released on 2 March 1931. As far as we know, it hasn't been seen since.

What else do we know about it?

The original play, which was based on a novel by Martin Swayne, opened at the Criterion Theatre on 11 November 1919. Sidney Gilliat, who went on to be one of Britain's best screenwriters with his partner Frank Launder, contributed to the script.

Does anything survive?

The BFI holds a few stills and some publicity material.

Reviews

The Sydney Mail ( 29 October 1930) was generous in its praise, in particular for the performance of Richard Cooper. Said reviewer Kathleen Ussher: "Cooper perpetuates the conventional 'silly ass' Englishman whose luck outweighs his deserts. His characterisation is extraordinarily likeable besides being side-splittingly funny." In fact, she argued Cooper was "the most important comedy 'find' of the season, either British or American." The camera team was equally applauded: "'Lord Richard in the Pantry' emphasises their understanding of high-grade camera work, and each and every artist in the film is given equitable treatment."

The Bioscope also enjoyed the film. Its review, which appeared in the issue dated 30 July 1930, sums up the film as " a splendid specimen of comic art, certain to educe laughter from audiences of any class." The reviewer was impressed by all the performances, especially the three female servants,, with their "unblushing advances to the new butler."

Jo Botting, Curator (Fiction), BFI National Archive

You can find more about British films of the early 1930s, including entries on surviving films and video clips for users in UK schools, colleges, universities and public libraries, at BFI Screenonline. You can also view similar titles at the BFI Mediatheques.