Arthur? Arthur!

Arthur? Arthur!
Opening titles
Directed by	Samuel Gallu
Written by	John Esmonde Simeon George Bob Larbey
Based on	The Man Who Killed Himself by Julian Symons
Produced by	E.M. Smedley-Aston Ted Weiner
Starring	Shelley Winters Donald Pleasence Terry-Thomas Tammy Grimes
Cinematography	Brian Probyn
Edited by	Peter R. Hunt
Music by	Harry Robertson
Release date	October 1969 (1969-10)
Running time	94 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Arthur? Arthur! is a 1969 British comedy film directed by Samuel Gallu and starring Shelley Winters, Donald Pleasence and Terry-Thomas. ^[1] It was written by John Esmonde, Simeon George and Bob Larbey based on the 1967 novel The Man Who Killed Himself by Julian Symons. According to the British Film Institute (BFI), the film was not theatrically released in the UK, but obtained a US release in 1975.

Plot

A dull and unsuccessful inventor begins to develop a second identity as a man about town with a completely different life.

Cast

• Shelley Winters as Hester Green
• Donald Pleasence as Arthur Brownjohn / Sir Easonby 'E' Mellon
• Terry-Thomas as Clennery Tubbs
• Tammy Grimes as Lady Joan Mellon
• Rafiq Anwar as majordomo
• Judith Arthy as Patricia Parker
• Michael Bates as Mr Harrington
• Peter Bayliss as Doctor Hubble
• Joan Benham as Mrs Payne
• Mike Carnell as postman
• Erik Chitty as Uncle Ratty
• Margaret Courtenay as Clare Brownjohn
• Frank Crawshaw as dustman
• Mark Eden as Jack Parker
• Robin Ellis as Ames
• Angela Grant as Cynthia
• Basil Henson as Coverdale
• Raymond Huntley as George Payne
• Stanley Lebor as analyst
• Garry Marsh as golfer
• Keith Marsh as Lillywhite
• Harry Shacklock as attendant
• Jeffrey Sirr as water boy
• Patsy Smart as Miss Bonnamie
• Oliver Tobias as Peter 'Bobo' Jackson
• Margery Withers as Susan
• Victor Brooks as minor part

Reception

The British Film Institute wrote: "Donald Pleasance is excellent as a nervous, bald, hen-pecked – and murderous – inventor leading a strange double life as a hirsute playboy running an introductions agency in this strange and often bewildering late 1960s comedy. Terry-Thomas also excels as a charming con-man, enlivening this piquant forgotten 1969 period piece – never released in UK cinemas." ^[2]

References

1. "Arthur? Arthur!". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
2. "Arthur? Arthur!". BFI Player. Retrieved 9 November 2024.

External links

• Arthur? Arthur! at IMDb
• Arthur? Arthur! free to watch online at the BFI