Jack Watling Movies
Baby-faced British character actor Jack Watling was trained at the Italia Conti school. On stage from age 12, Watling made his earliest appearances in such Christmas pantomimes as Where the Rainbow Ends. In 1938, he was cast in his first film, Sixty Glorious Years. Entering his teen years, Watling worked in Donald Wolfit's repertory company, then was cast in his favorite stage role, that of Flight Lieutenant Graham in the 1942 West End production Flare Path. Following three years' service in the RAF, he played his most celebrated role, cashiered naval cadet Dickie Winslow in The Winslow Boy, which he would repeat for the 1950 screen version. Among his choicer screen assignments of the 1950s was the wastrely Marquis of Rutleigh in Orson Welles' Mr. Arkadin. In the 1970s, Jack Watling was a semi-regular in the British TV series Father, Dear Father. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
- PG
Based on the novel by Gerald A. Browne, 11 Harrowhouse is a 1974 heist spoof with an all-star cast. The story concerns millionaire Clyde Massey (Trevor Howard) pressuring diamond merchant Howard R. Chesser (Charles Grodin) into robbing a London diamond exchange owned by Meecham (John Gielgud. Howard gets help from his girlfriend Maren Shirell (Candice Bergen), discontented employee Charles D. Watts (James Mason), and a cockroach in order to execute the plan. Once he has the fortune, Massey tries to double-cross his team of forced thieves, but his wealthy partner-in-crime Lady Anne Bolding (Helen Cherry) helps them escape. Charles Grodin, who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation, provides voice-over commentary. 11 Harrowhouse is also known as Anything for Love and Fast Fortune. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Grodin, Candice Bergen, (more)
- 1973
The British TV sitcom Father Dear Father originally ran from 1968 through 1973. Veteran farceur Patrick Cargill starred as a divorced father with two nubile daughters. Complications ensued when the girls moved into the flat just below Cargill's. You may recognize this property as the basis for the 1980s Ted Knight series Too Close For Comfort. This feature-film version of Father Dear Father merely rehashes plot devices from the series; neither of the property's original writers, Brian Cooke and John Mortimer (of Rumpole of the Bailey fame) seem to have been involved in the movie adaptation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
This English comedy is based on a short play by Peter Shaffer (better known for Equus). Belinda is a free-spirited American woman married to a stuffy English rolled-umbrella man. When he leaves for work each day, she leaves their London apartment too. She says she's just sightseeing, but he doesn't believe her. He hires a private eye (Chaim Topol) to follow her around and find the "other man" in her life. What she said was true, however, and the private eye becomes her traveling companion. He tells his employer that she was telling the truth, but he doesn't believe him. At that point, the detective admits to being the "other man," complicating things thoroughly. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1972
- Add The Adventures of Barry McKenzie to QueueAdd The Adventures of Barry McKenzie to top of Queue
The popular Australian comic strip The Wonderful World of Barry McKenzie was first brought to the screen in this raunchy 1972 romp. Barry Crocker plays the title character, a carefree Aussie cowboy with an inordinate fondness for beer and "Sheilas". Touring England as a stand-up comic, Barry runs across several odd characters, including addlepated discipline freak Dennis Price. Also on hand is Barry McKenzie cocreator Barry Humphries, appearing in drag as Dame Edna Beveridge, a character who would bring Humphries worldwide fame and fortune in the 1990s. Director Bruce Beresford, who went on to such loftier efforts as Breaker Morant, Tender Mercies and Crimes of the Heart, breezes through his scatalogical material with the abandon of a schoolboy scribbling naughty words on the sidewalk. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Crocker, Barry Humphries, (more)
- 1968
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Web of Fear," the Great Intelligence continues to deploy his army of Yeti robots to take over London, and then the world. Fortunately, the villain's efforts to steal the mind of the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) have failed. But how can the Doctor turn the tables on the Great Intelligence, using the alien's villainous scheme for good rather than evil? Originally telecast March 2, 1968, "The Web of Fear, Episode 5" was written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1968
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Web of Fear," Col. Lethbridge-Stuart (Nicholas Courtney) of the British Army leads a counterassault against the Yeti robots, which have taken over the London subway system. Meanwhile, the alien Great Intelligence steps up his plan to use the robots to conquer the world. To do this, he must first steal the intellect of the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) -- who, understandably, isn't keen on having his mind drained. Originally telecast February 24, 1968, "The Web of Fear, Episode 4" was written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1968
In the third episode of the six-part story "The Web of Fear," an army of Yeti robots runs amok in the London subway system, controlled by the alien Great Intelligence. To prevent this havoc from reaching the surface, the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) enlists the aid of the entire British Army. Nicholas Courtney makes his first series appearance as Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart. Originally telecast February 17, 1968, "The Web of Fear, Episode 3" was written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1968
In the second episode of the six-part story "The Web of Fear," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) discovers that an army of futuristic Yeti robots has been unleashed in the London subway system. It is all the handiwork of Professor Travers (Jack Watling), who accidentally caused one of the dormant Yeti to be activated. Before the damage can be controlled, the Great Intelligence, who hopes to rule the world, again rears his (her? its?) ugly head. Originally telecast February 10, 1968, "The Web of Fear, Episode 2" was written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1968
The Doctor (Patrick Troughton) once more crosses paths with the robotic Yeti from the earlier Doctor Who adventure "The Abominable Snowmen" -- and with the alien Great Intelligence who controls the monsters. The adventure begins when the Doctor investigates some unusual activity in the contemporary London subway system -- little realizing that there's more to this case than a few renegade commuters who refuse to pay their fare! Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, this adventure lasted six episodes, beginning its run on February 3, 1968. Unfortunately, only episode one of "The Web of Fear" is available; the rest have apparently vanished from the earth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1968
In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Web of Fate," Col. Lethbridge-Stuart (Nicholas Courtney) has successfully driven back the invasion of the Yeti robots. Even so, the Great Intelligence persists in his scheme to conquer the world with his robot army. It falls to the Doctor (Patrick Troughton to try to foil the Intelligence, just as he'd done in the previous Dr. Who adventure "The Abominable Snowmen." Originally telecast March 9, 1968, "The Web of Fear, Episode 6" was written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln; this episode apparently no longer exists. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1967
In the second episode of the six-part story "The Abominable Snowmen," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) is accused of murder while visiting the Det-sen monastory of Tibet. The actual culprit is an alien being called the Great Intelligence, which holds the Doctor's very old friend Padmasmabhava (Wolfe Morris), and an army of robotic Yeti, in its power. Despite the lack of incidental music in this episode, the tension is thick enough to be cut with a knife. Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, "The Abominable Snowmen, Episode 2" first aired on October 7, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1967
The Doctor (Patrick Troughton) arrives at the Det-sen monastery in Tibet, sometime in the mid-'30s. Almost immediately, a colleague of one Professor Travers (Jack Watling) is murdered, and the Doctor finds himself the number one suspect. Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, the six-part adventure "The Abominable Snowmen" was filmed in North Wales, a surprisingly suitable substitute for the rocks and rills of ancient Tibet. The first episode originally aired on September 30, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1967
In the conclusion of the six-part story "The Abominable Snowmen," the Great Intelligence is poised to release his army of Yeti robots on the helpless world. The Doctor (Patrick Troughton) finally hits upon a method to banish the Intelligence forever. But what effect will this have on the Doctor's ancient and venerable comrade, Padmasmabhava (Wolfe Morris)? Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, "The Abominable Snowmen, Episode 6" first aired on November 5, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1967
In the fifth episode of the six-part story "The Abominable Snowmen," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) continues to face great danger at the Det-sen monastery in Tibet. His only hope for survival is to banish the Great Intelligence, an alien force bent on world domination, from the earth's Solar System. Unfortunately, the Intelligence holds prisoner the soul of the Doctor's very old friend Padmasambhava (Wolfe Morris), the creator of a race of robotic Yetis. Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, "The Abominable Snowmen, Episode 5" first aired on October 28, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1967
In the fourth episode of the six-part story "The Abominable Snowmen," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) must figure out a method of escaping the evil Great Intelligence, which has enslaved the denizens of a remote Tibetan monastery. The danger increases as the villain's army of robotic Yetis converge upon the TARDIS. This last-mentioned sequence is the only known surviving fragment of "The Abominable Snowmen, Episode 4." Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, the episode first aired on October 21, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
- 1967
In the third episode of the six-part story "The Abominable Snowmen," the Doctor (Patrick Troughton) has learned that the Tibetan monastery of Det-sen is being held in thrall by the malevolent Great Intelligence. He also now knows that his alien adversary intends to use an army of Yeti robots to take over the world. But he doesn't what to do about it -- especially since one of his oldest friends is unwillingly mixed up in the intrigue. Written by Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln, "The Abominable Snowmen, Episode 3" first aired on October 14, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Troughton, Frazer Hines, (more)
In this thriller (which represented something of a departure for Hammer Films, noted for their gothic period pieces), Joey Fane (William Dix) has returned home after two years in an institution for mentally ill children. His sister drowned, and his family believes that Joey was to blame, despite his claims of innocence. Joey is convinced that the family's Nanny (Bette Davis) was responsible and refuses to have anything to do with her, but only neighbor girl Bobby (Pamela Franklin) agrees that there's something sinister about the woman minding the house. When Joey's neurotic mother Virginia (Wendy Craig) nearly dies after eating tainted food prepared by the Nanny, Virginia's sister Penelope (Jill Bennett) comes by to help. Penelope soon witnesses the bad blood between Joey and the Nanny, though before long she begins to think that the boy might be right about her after all. Jimmy Sangster adapted the screenplay from a novel by Evelyn Piper. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bette Davis, Wendy Craig, (more)
- 1964
In this crime drama, a rivalry within a publishing house turns deadly when theft and blackmail get involved. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In this British farce, an impoverished lord teams up with the plumber he mistook for a burglar. Together they conspire to steal one of the lord's own paintings. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1961
In this comedy, a young man stands to inherit a vast fortune, but first he must spend a small fortune in two months. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Watling, Carole Lesley, (more)
- 1961
A strange bet provides the basis of this comedy, a British theater producer decides to make some easy money by betting a psychiatrist, whom he overheard telling a colleague that he could create the perfect child by hypnotizing a pregnant woman, that the shrink has as many holes in his theory as he did in his head. The wager is made, and the producer then talks an actress friend into masquerading as the pregnant woman to ensure his win. Unfortunately for him, the actress and the doctor fall in love. Seeing that her sweethearts theories are being derided by his peers, she decides to help him out and get pregnant for real. To do this, she gets drunk, staggers over to the producer's apartment and demands that he satisfy her right then and there. Unfortunately in the middle of it all, the doctor shows up. Then the producer's fiancee pays a visit and the whole scam falls apart in his living room. Fortunately happiness ensues when the doctor and the actress marry and decide to try the experiment for real. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Agnes Laurent, John Bentley, (more)
- 1961
Essentially a one-joke comedy hanging on the thinnest of plots, this routine series of slapstick situations is directed by Don Chaffey and concerns the ineptitude of an Air Force officer, Captain Kingsley (Jimmy Edwards). The likeable Captain has a fixation on mechanical contrivances, but at the same time he is an accident waiting to happen. The wait is never long, and so the Prime Minister himself orders everyone into action when the Captain comes up missing -- who knows what disaster may lie in the wings. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jimmy Edwards, Kenneth Connor, (more)
