Ann Wilton Movies
Laurence Olivier was the director, co-screenwriter (with Alan Dent), and star of this robust adaptation of Shakespeare's drama, which, as Bruce Eder has written, "was the final, crowning glory of the British studio system and the end of the great cycle of British films aimed at international audiences." Olivier begins his Richard III with Edward IV (Cedric Hardwicke) being crowned king. In the background of the celebration, Richard (Laurence Olivier) jealously views the proceedings and begins to pick off those obstructing his pathway to the throne. Eventually, Richard becomes king and, after proceeding with a succession of intrigues and duplicities, he finds his kingdom in dire peril, set upon by Henry Tudor (Stanley Baker) and mustering a final defense for his realm at the Battle of Bosworth. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Starring:
- Laurence Olivier, Cedric Hardwicke, (more)
- 1950
This sequel to the 1942 Oscar-winner Mrs.Miniver can be considered ill-advised, if only because the producers could never really hope to match the success of the original. Otherwise, The Miniver Story has its charms, not the least of which were the sterling performances of Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. Set just after VE Day, the film finds Mrs. Miniver (Garson) reacting to the euphoria of her friends and family with a sense of quiet sadness. This is because she's just learned from her doctor that she hasn't much longer to live. With the same courage with which she met the deprivations of WW II, Mrs. Miniver resolves to put on a happy face and keep the news of her imminent demise a secret from her husband (Pigeon) and children. She even finds time to straighten out the tangled love life of her daughter Judy (Cathy O'Donnell). Henry Wilcoxon repeats his Mrs. Miniver role as the local vicar. Unlike its Hollywood-bound predecessor, The Miniver Story was lensed on location in England. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, (more)
- 1948
Adapted by Eric Ambler from his own novel, The October Man centers around Jim Ackland (played by John Mills), who has been involved in a terrible accident that killed a friend's daughter and has given Ackland a brain injury. Despondent after his release from the hospital, Ackland moves into a hotel, where he meets Molly Newman (Kay Walsh). Molly has a hard time making ends meet, and must fight off the advances of another man who is willing to pay her rent if she will sleep with him. She asks Ackland to loan her money for the rent; he does, but she is found murdered soon after. Ackland is suspected of committing the deed and, due to his mental problems, he doesn't know if he is innocent. With the help of the kindly Jenny (Joan Greenwood), who believes in him, he sets out to clear his name. The October Man was the directorial debut of Roy Ward Baker, who had been an assistant to Alfred Hitchcock. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi
- Starring:
- Adrianne Allen, John Mills, (more)
- 1947
In this comedy, a band of British birdwatchers fight to save a rare species of birds from destruction. The title bird is a skinny little thing that can wag its tail. It lives in English wheat fields. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Bernard Miles, Rosamund John, (more)
- 1946
Produced, directed and scripted by Peter Ustinov (who did not star), Secret Flight was released in Great Britain in 1946, but not distributed in the U.S. until 1951 -- at which time it was panned as being out-of-date! The fact-based screenplay details the efforts of five dedicated British scientists to develop Radar and other preventative measures on the eve of WW II. The five "boffins" are played by Ralph Richardson, Raymond Huntley, John Laurie, Ernest Jay and David Tomlinson. Some excitement is engendered when a test pilot (Richard Attenborough) cooperates with the scientists' remote-control airflight experiments. Given the film's sober treatment of certain British wartime military maneuvers, it is surprising that Peter Ustinov frequently chooses to depict the scientists as Dr. Watson-style comic figures. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ralph Richardson, Raymond Huntley, (more)
- 1945
Originally released in England as The Way to the Stars, Johnny in the Clouds is the story of how the Battle of Britain affected the lives of combatants and civilians alike. Terence Rattigan's screenplay concentrates on three groups of people: an American pilot and his wife, a doomed British officer with a wife and child, and a young couple who plan to marry despite the precariousness of wartime romances. Most of the action takes place at an air base and the neighboring village, where the private citizens react to rationing and other restrictions with various degrees of nobility and selfishness. The American title of this film is derived from the poem "Johnny in the Clouds," recited in tribute to the decease British airman; the U.S. version, which was released after the war, includes a prologue set in the deserted air base, with the bulk of the film offered as a flashback. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Mills, Michael Redgrave, (more)
- 1944
In this period drama from England, Fanny Hopwood (Phyllis Calvert), upon graduating from finishing school, returns to her family's home in London. However, bad luck awaits her at nearly every turn. After her father is killed in a fist fight by the aristocratic but dastardly Lord Manderstoke (James Mason), whose social standing saves him from prosecution, Fanny learns that he was not in fact her real father, and that she is actually the bastard daughter of a member of Parliament. Shortly after this revelation, Fanny's mother dies, and Fanny receives yet another shock when she learns that her parents supported themselves by running a brothel. Now an orphan, Fanny is sent to live with her biological father, an uncomfortable situation made even more difficult thanks to the resentment of his wife and the couple's friendship with Lord Manderstoke, who has romantic designs on young Fanny. Fanny is able to take comfort in a budding romance with Harry Somerford (Stewart Granger), her father's secretary, and a warm friendship with Chunks (Wilfred Lawson), the family butler. However, Fanny's happiness with Harry may be short-lived, as her stepmother threatens to reveal the tragedy and scandal of her past. Based on the novel by Michael Sadleir, Fanny by Gaslight was released in the U. S. under the title Man of Evil. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Phyllis Calvert, James Mason, (more)
- 1943
A set of flashbacks to 19th century London provide the action in this British wartime film, in which a wealthy girl (Phyllis Calvert) becomes friends with a young waif (Margaret Lockwood) while at school. The waif later becomes a governess for the girl, but betrays their relationship by having an affair with her friend's husband (James Mason). The Man in Grey did exceptionally well in England at the time of its release, and later spawned a cavalcade of similar movies. ~ John Bush, Rovi
- Starring:
- Phyllis Calvert, Margaret Lockwood, (more)
- 1939
In this crime drama, a boys' school matron is brutally murdered after she wins the French lottery. The story tells how it was done. She is killed by a French loan shark who tricks her into coming to his place. He then kills her and has another woman put on her clothing and collect the lottery winnings. The law pursues the killer, who commits two more murders before he kills himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Emlyn Williams, Sara Seegar, (more)
