Betty Ann Davies Movies
- 1956
When John Preston (Christopher Lee) comes out of nowhere to settle in Deanbridge, he rises quickly in the town's small circle of leaders and meets Sally, the daughter of a leading family. He asks her to marry him, but then he begins to have repeating nightmares about a passionate blonde blackmailer. He consults the local doctor (Alexander Knox), who decides that Preston is unconsciously suppressing events from his past and should try to recover his memory before he gets married. This is an average psychological mystery worth watching for the good performances. ~ Michael P. Rogers, All Movie Guide
- 1954
In this heartwarming film, a village squire generously offers a large cottage to a poor villager who has a lot of grandchildren. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1954
Dane Clark plays a down-at-heels war vet who enters into an odd agreement. If he'll marry a gorgeous blonde (Belinda Lee), Clark will be paid a hefty sum of money. Unfortunately he's being set up as the fall guy in a murder scheme. Awakening from a drunken stupor, Clark finds that all the evidence in the murder points to him--and even he is convinced that he's guilty. Filmed in England, Blackout is based on the Helen Nielsen novel Murder by Proxy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dane Clark, Belinda Lee, (more)
Grand National Night began life as a stage play, which was promptly adapted as a popular British radio serial. The film combines the best elements of both previous incarnations. Racehorse owner Gerald Coates (Nigel Patrick) accidentally kills his spiteful wife Babs (Moira Lister) during a quarrel. Terror-stricken, Coates stashes the body in the boot (or trunk) of a stranger's car. Methodical police inspector Ayling (Michael Hordern) suspects there's more to this than meets the eye. The script carefully builds up sympathy for the frenzied Coates, then manages to find a way to wrap up the story to everyone's satisfaction (Here's a clue, provided by Leonard Maltin: while watching the film, examine the character names). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nigel Patrick, Moira Lister, (more)
- 1953
This drama chronicles the nasty exploits of a young London punk and his thuggish gang as they mug passersby and seduce innocent young girls. Their story is used to comment upon the state of London society and is based on Bruce Walker's play. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1953
The British Cosh Boy was unsubtly but appropriately retitled The Slasher in the U.S. James Kenney plays Roy Walsh, one of the most thoroughly unpleasant characters ever to appear on screen. When he's not busy beating and robbing the aged and infirm, Roy enjoys slapping around his lady friends. And then one day, he goes too far. Based on a stage play by Bruce Walker, in which James Kenney also starred, Cosh Boy makes few concessions to taste and propriety; as a result, it was in for quite a going over when released stateside. Among the women abused by the "hero" in the course of the film is Joan Collins in one of her first important roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Kenney, Joan Collins, (more)
- 1953
Belles of St. Trinian's was the first of several British comedies inspired by the fear-inspiring girl's school created by cartoonist Ronald Searle. The girls of St. Trinian's aim their deviltry at a gang of crooks who plan to steal a famous race horse. Alastair Sim wraps up the proceedings with his dual portrayal of the school's severe headmistress (!) and her bookmaking twin brother. Also worth watching is veteran supporting player George Cole, who makes a tidy profit on the alcoholic beverages produced in the girls' science lab, and toothy Joyce Grenfell as a diligent lady constable. Like most of the subsequent "St. Trinian's" farces, Belles of St. Trinian's was a joint effort of the producer/director/writer team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, (more)
- 1952
Meet Me Tonight was the American title for the British-filmed Tonight at 8:30, adapted from the Noel Coward stage production of the same name. Several rotating playlets were presented in the original Tonight at 8:30, most of them starring Coward and Gertrude Lawrence. The film version utilizes three of these short plays. "The Red Peppers" stars Kay Walsh and George Pepper as a brash music-hall team (their big number is "Has Anybody Seen our Ship") on the verge of splitting up. "Fumed Oak" stars Stanley Holloway as a man finagled into marriage by a domineering woman (Betty Ann Davies). And "Ways and Means" stars Valerie Hobson and Nigel Patrick as a pair of impoverished "professional guests" who have worn out the welcome of every wealthy host in Europe. Meet Me Tonight was given its American TV premiere on the ABC network in November of 1956, at which time its original title was restored. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1952
Partially filmed on location in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Outcast of the Islands is a reasonably faithful adaptation of Joseph Conrad's novel. Trevor Howard plays a degenerate British expatriate who wanders aimlessly around a Malayan island. Most of the film involves the search for Howard by those on whom he's turned his back. None of the characters is particularly likable; even Howard loses audience sympathy for his plight by betraying one of his closest friends (Ralph Richardson), a ship's captain who'd raised Howard from boyhood. The unrelenting pessimism of Outcast of the Islands was such that the American distributors felt the need to ease the characters' pain by editing the picture down from 102 minutes to 94. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ralph Richardson, Trevor Howard, (more)
- 1950
In this crime drama, a gold-digging wife makes life for her husband and stepdaughter a waking nightmare. When her husband finally figures out her scheme, he uses his expertise in yoga to fake his death and later returns disguised as a gardener to spy upon her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1950
The title is a reference to the mental state of leading lady Phyllis Calvert. Ms. Calvert plays an amnesiac, a victim of the wartime air raids, whose past is literally closed off to her. She doesn't know why, but everyone at every turn seems to want something from her--and some of these strangers have a homicidal glint in their eyes. Among the supporting players is Richard Burton, making his fourth screen appearance. Retitled as Her Panelled Door for U.S. theatrical release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phyllis Calvert, Edward Underdown, (more)
- 1950
Trio was the 1950 follow-up to the successful Somerset Maugham "omnibus" feature Quartet. Maugham himself introduces the three short playlets in this captivating collection. "The Verger" stars James Hayter as a church verger who loses his position when it is discovered that he can neither read nor write. With the help of sympathetic Kathleen Harrison, Hayter becomes a successful tobacconist, a turn of events leading inexorably to the story's beautifully ironic punchline. In "Mister Know-All," Nigel Patrick plays an obnoxious, garrulous passenger on a luxury cruise, who becomes a hero simply by knowing when to shut up. The final story, "Sanitorium," details the touching romance between tuberculosis victims Michael Rennie and Jean Simmons. Like Quartet, this was popular and successful enough to inspire a sequel, 1951's Encore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Hayter, Anne Crawford, (more)
H. G. Wells' non-fantasy efforts have, with the exception of Kipps, proven traditionally difficult to transfer to film. History of Mr. Polly occasionally suffers from too-close fidelity to its Wellsian source; one wishes that adaptor/director Anthony Pelissier could have "opened up" the story a bit more. Still, the film is impeccably cast: particularly good is John Mills as Alfred Polly, whose efforts to make a go in the business world continually come acropper. A humble draper's clerk, Polly is profoundly affected by a variety of personal relationships, most notably with colorful Uncle Jim (Finlay Currie) and his nagging wife Miriam (Betty Ann Davies). Ultimately, he finds happiness in an even humbler pursuit than the drapery business. Star John Mills' daughter Juliet shows up in a very minor role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Mills, Sally Ann Howes, (more)
- 1949
The Blue Lamp was an immensely popular British crime film (and the winner of the BFA Award), concentrating on interrelated episodes in the lives of several London policemen. Jack Warner heads the cast as George Dixon, a veteran "bobby" who is murdered by scuzzy small-time criminals Dirk Bogarde and Patrick Doonan. Rookie cop Jimmy Hanley, who'd looked upon Warner as a father figure, is instrumental in bringing the crooks to justice. The semi-documentary style of The Blue Lamp could not help but have been an influence on Jack Webb's Dragnet. Jack Warner proved so popular in the character of George Dixon that he was brought back from the dead to star in the BBC TV series Dixon of Dock Green. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Warner, Jimmy Hanley, (more)
David Lean directed this romantic drama, scripted by Eric Ambler from a novel by H.G. Wells. Mary Justin (Ann Todd) is married to wealthy financier Howard Justin (Claude Rains), and while their marriage allows her to lead a comfortable lifestyle, there's little excitement in their relationship. While visiting Switzerland, Mary happens to run into Steve Stratton (Trevor Howard), with whom she was romantically involved years before she wed Howard. Mary finds herself falling for Steve once again, and she has to decide if she should leave her husband in hope of finding real passion or stay with a man who treats her well but whom she does not love. Leading lady Ann Todd married David Lean the same year this was released; it was the first of three films they would make together prior to their divorce in 1957. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ann Todd, Claude Rains, (more)
- 1949
A popular British stage play by William Douglas Home was the basis for this out-of-the-ordinary prison picture. Richard Greene heads the cast as Turnfell, a murderer facing a death sentence. Turnfell is but one of several inmates whose joys and sorrows are detailed in anecdotal fashion: others include a cockney forger (William Hartnell), an embezzling bank clerk (Ronald Howard) and a bigamist (Lesley Dwyer). Also on hand is the Governor (or warden), played with a refreshing lack of genre cliches by Sir Cedric Hardwicke and an Irish terrorist, well-played by a very young Richard Burton. Now Barabbas was a Robber was eventually given a general release under the streamlined title Now Barabbas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Greene, Cedric Hardwicke, (more)
- 1948
In this drama, set after the war, a WW II flying ace and hero comes to the aid of a hooker who is being harassed by a policeman. He pushes the abusive cop away during the tussle; the cop falls, hits his head, and dies. The former flier is promptly tried and given a three-year prison sentence. He escapes one night during a heavy fog. He is taken in by a caring woman who tries convincing him to surrender. The fugitive at first refuses, but then after seeking sanctuary in a church relents because he does not want the parson to have to lie on his behalf. His surrender is made easier by the knowledge that the woman will wait for him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacqueline Clarke, Peter Croft, (more)
- 1947
After the war, British films began avoiding the heiresses and lordships that had dominated the drama field and began pursuing "realism" -- which often was just as artificial as the earlier white-telephone pictures. John McCallum plays Tommy Swann, a product of the working class who tries to better himself by becoming a criminal. Escaping from prison, Swann hides out in the East London home of his former mistress Rose (Googie Withers), who has since married George Sandigate (Edward Chapman). The film is told from Swann's point-of-view, and a dismal view that is. Nor does Rose seem any happier with her drab lot in life. Swann's return does nothing but further their misery, tearing Rose' family apart and sending Swann back into the arms of the law. Considered a tension-laden slice of life in 1949, It Always Rains on Sunday seems a bit contrived today, though it does full justice to the Arthur La Bern novel on which it is based -- especially when the film leaves the environs of the house and zeroes in on its colorful roster of bit actors. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Googie Withers, Edward Chapman, (more)
- 1941
Carol Reed directed this adaptation of the H.G. Wells novel about a British shopkeeper who inherits money and tries to crash society; it was later the basis of the Tommy Steele musical Half a Sixpence. Michael Redgrave is Arthur Kipps, a nondescript storekeeper who finds himself heir to a large fortune. Society golddigger Helen Walshinham (Diana Wynyard) immediately comes on the scene, hoping to trick Kipps into marrying her. Right before the wedding, Kipps gets cold feet and instead runs off with his childhood sweetheart, Ann Pornick (Phyllis Calvert). The two get married but Ann wants to live simply while Kipps continues to want to live large with his inherited fortune. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Redgrave, Diana Wynyard, (more)
- 1938
In this Irish romance, two farmers fall in love, but must part when their high falutin' landlord evicts them. The man then goes to London where he ends up falling for a wealthy young woman while the woman farmer ends up working as a hostess in a London restaurant. Eventually the two former lovers meet and the romantic sparks fly. They eventually return to their land where they discover the landlord has left the fellow an inheritance. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1938
In this sad melodrama, a kindly and popular old lady who owns the town candy shop inherits a modest fortune and finds herself set upon by greedy villains. To get her money, they force a young man to masquerade as the woman's lost son. Unfortunately for them, the young man is basically a decent sort, and when he falls in love with the vicar's daughter, he decides to abandon the cruel scam. He then goes to the lady and tells the bitter truth. She gently tells him that she knew that from the start. She forgives him and happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1937
In this British comedy, an aspiring actress who works as a housemaid decides to throw a big soiree at her employer's home while they are away so she can pose as a famous actress and hopefully further her career. Unfortunately, two uninvited thieves appear and steal the owner's priceless jade collection. In order to save face, and get the stones back, the woman must convince two revelers to help her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1937
In this drama a Detroit secretary working at a small school finds herself inheriting $500 upon her principal's death. She decides to use the money for a London vacation. Unfortunately, the new principal fires her for insisting on time off. She goes to England anyway where she finds her impoverished relatives who believe that she is a wealthy heiress. When it appears that she is too cheap to help them, they become quite nasty to her. Fortunately, in the end, they discover the truth, and somehow all financial turmoil is settled and happiness ensues. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- ZaSu Pitts, Guy Newall, (more)
- 1936
The British Excuse My Glove proves that Hollywood had no monopoly on trying to turn athletes into actors. Top British boxer Len Harvey stars as a peace-loving collector of fine glass. He is goaded into fisticuffs at a funfair, where the mercenary carnival manager sizes up Harvey as a potential goldmine. The reluctant pugilist rises to fame, despite the efforts of a rival entrepreneur. While Excuse My Glove may seem like so much plum pudding to American moviegoers, the film is a treat for English boxing fans, with many British boxing greats of the 1930s (including the modestly named Bombardier Billy Wells) in supporting and bit roles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
