Cecil Bevan Movies
- 1951
The Reluctant Widow in this muted British comedy is young 19th-century governess Elinor, played by Jean Kent. Inadvertently inheriting a vast estate, Elinor is bedeviled by both British turncoats and French espionage agents, who hide out in the mansion while preparing to steal Lord Wellington's battle plans for Waterloo. One of the British traitors is played by Julian Dallas, who as "Scott Forbes" would later star on TV's Jim Bowie. For reasons unknown, the film was heavily re-edited and restructured before its general release, making certain portions of the storyline incomprehensible. Through it all, however, Jean Kent maintains her dignity and charm as she quietly outwits the many villains. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1949
Based on the infamous Archer-Shee case of 1912, The Winslow Boy features Neil North as the 14-year-old title character. Accused of a petty theft, North is expelled from Naval College. His father, retired bank official Sir Cedric Hardwycke, is prevented by existing British law to clear his son's name. He engages attorney Robert Donat, who successfully petitions for the right to sue the Admiralty and make this august organization prove its charges in court. Public opinion, however, is strongly against Hardwycke and his family: particularly effected is Hardwycke's daughter Margaret Leighton, whose fiance breaks off their engagement. For dramatic purposes, Margaret finds solace in a romantic relationship with barrister Donat. Terrence Rattigan worked on the cinemadaptation of his own play, which was later restaged on American television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Donat, Margaret Leighton, (more)
- 1949
British film star Googie Withers took a break from the steamy melodramas that had previously been her specialty in Once Upon a Dream. Withers plays Carol Gilbert, happily married to Major Gilbert (Guy Middleton). One evening, Carol dreams of an extramarital affair with Gilbert's former aide Jackson (Griffin Jones). Upon awakening, she is convinced that the assignation took place, and behaves accordingly, much to the confusion of both her husband and her "lover." More silly than funny, Once Upon a Dream is kept alive by the enthusiastic performances of its leading players. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Googie Withers, Griffith Jones, (more)
- 1948
The blind goddess is justice, which may or may not be served in this British second feature. Eric Portman plays the private secretary to a celebrated public figure (Hugh Williams). Portman holds his boss in an esteem that borders on hero worship. But when his idol is brought into court, the secretary quickly learns that the Great Man is waist-deep in political corruption. Blind Goddess was based on a stage play by Patrick Hastings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eric Portman, Anne Crawford, (more)
- 1945
In this British costume musical, Carol Raye plays Empress Maria, a young woman of noble blood who has fallen in love with Count Franz Von Hofer (Peter Graves), one of the men assigned to guard her. Maria's guardians attempt to dissuade her interest in Franz because of his reputation as a Casanova, and when Franz is discovered in a playful conversation with Cenci Prohaska (Patricia Medina), they are convinced that their assumptions are correct. When Maria learns of Franz's behavior, she disguises herself as Cenci for an upcoming costume ball with the hopes of catching Franz in a disloyal act. Waltz Time also features a guest appearance by the celebrated operatic vocalist Richard Tauber, who sings two numbers; it was one of Tauber's final screen appearances, as he passed on in early 1948. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carol Raye, Peter Graves, (more)
- 1944
In this drama, an amnesiac gardener, who lost his memory after he was buried alive during WW I, works for a wealthy man whose son is about to marry an actress. When he is accused of stealing, the honest gardener becomes so upset that his memory returns. He then remembers that he is a wealthy military officer. He also realizes that the actress is none other than his own daughter. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1937
British musical-comedy star Jack Hulbert and Hollywood ingenue Patricia Ellis share top billing in Gaiety Girls (aka Paradise for Two). Hulbert plays Martin, a straight-laced Parisian millionaire who falls in love with saucy chorus girl Jeannette (Ellis). The plot requires that Martin pose as a reporter who is called upon by Jeannette to pose as her wealthy benefactor: in other words, he's hired to impersonate himself! With all this going on, it's a wonder that our hero has time to offer a few song-and-dance numbers of his own, but Jack Hulbert does not disappoint his fans. Billed fourth in Gaiety Girls is Googie Withers, whose name would mean a lot more at the box-office within a few short years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Hulbert, Patricia Ellis, (more)
- 1937
John Stuart stars as the Elder Brother of irresponsible socialite Basil Langton. Langton carries on an affair with a married woman (Stella Bonheur) who turns up murdered. Suspecting his brother is the guilty party, Stuart confesses to the crime. No British murder mystery could get by with only two suspects, so keep an eye out for plot twists and surprises. Elder Brother was adapted from a novel by Anthony Gibbs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1936
A butler (Claude Dampier) searches for missing heir (Billy Milton) who claims his inheritance and wins the love of a woman June Clyde. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1921
British director Thomas Bentley almost made a career out of making and re-making Charles Dickens' tragedy The Old Curiosity Shop. Bentley first directed Mai Deacon in a groundbreaking 6-reel version back in 1913. This version, his second, featured Mabel Poulton, one of the early British film industry's true genuine movie stars, as Little Nell, with William Lugg as the grandfather and Pino Conti as the nasty Quilp. Bentley would direct a talkie version in 1935, this time featuring Elaine Benson as nell and starring beloved British character actor Hay Petrie as Quilp. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
