Mervyn Jones Movies
John and Mary attracted a great deal of press coverage in 1969 for being the one of the first American films in which the male and female leads (Dustin Hoffman and Mia Farrow) start out the film by spending the night together, rather than holding off until the end. The morning after, the boy and girl wander about New York, wondering if they'll truly commit themselves to one another. Both characters are haunted by unsuccessful earlier affairs, and both have enough hang-ups to fill volumes of psychological textbooks. Come nightfall, John and Mary end up back in bed...and learn each other's names for the first time. John and Mary was considered "beautiful," "progressive" and "significant" in the permissive 1960s; nowadays it's about as controversial as The CBS Morning News. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Dustin Hoffman, Mia Farrow, (more)
The third of the droll British "Doctor" series, Doctor at Large once more stars Dirk Bogarde as young Dr. Simon Sparrow. Back in his old stamping grounds at St. Swithin's Teaching Hospital, Sparrow misses his chance at becoming chief surgeon when he crosses swords with the formidable Sir Lancelot Spratt (James Robertson Justice). Forced to go job hunting, our hero undergoes a variety of hilarious medical and romantic misadventures before ending up right where he started. Some of the film's best scenes involve shapely nurse Nan, played by Shirley Eaton of Goldfinger fame. Like its predecessors, Doctor at Large was based on characters created by real-life medico George Gordon. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Dirk Bogarde, Dandy Nichols, (more)
- 1956
In this religious drama, the lucky survivors of a recently crashed plane suddenly remember their faith in God. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1953
Valley of Song perpetuates the British stereotype of Welshmen as pugnacious rubes. The story involves a Welsh valley men's choir, comprised of members with lovely voices and mercurial temperaments. When Handel's Messiah is chosen as the choir's showcase piece, the members squabble over who should be the soloist. Vocal remonstrations nearly lead to physical violence, until the entire Welsh village has been polarized for or against the concertmaster's decision. Valley of Song was based on an oft-produced radio play by Cliff Gordon. Its American title was, appropriately, Men are Children Twice. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Clifford Evans, Hugh Pryse, (more)
- 1940
Clive Brook heads the cast of this low-key British war film. Brook plays the skipper of a tiny English cruiser, performing convoy duty in the north seas. A German battleship targets the cruiser for a deadly game of cat and mouse. Just when it seems that Brook and his crew will be blown out of the water, a battle squadron comes to the rescue. One of the first World War II combat films, Convoy features future stars Stewart Granger and Michael Wilding in very minor roles. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Clive Brook, John Clements, (more)
