See How They Run (1955 film)

Last updated

See How They Run
"See How They Run" (1955).jpg
British trade ad
Directed by Leslie Arliss
Written byLeslie Arliss
Roy Miller
Val Valentine
Based onthe play See How They Run by Philip King
Produced by Bill Luckwell
Derek Winn
Starring Ronald Shiner
Greta Gynt
James Haytor
CinematographyKenneth Talbot
Edited by Sam Simmonds
Music byJohn Bath
Production
company
Winwell
Distributed by British Lion Films (UK)
Release date
  • June 1955 (1955-06)(U.K.)
Running time
84 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office£123,586 (UK) [1]

See How They Run is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Leslie Arliss and starring Ronald Shiner, Greta Gynt, James Hayter and Wilfrid Hyde-White. [2] [3] It was written by Arliss, Philip King, Roy Miller and Val Valentine, based on King's 1944 play of the same name. It was produced by Bill Luckwell and Derek Winn for Winwell.

Contents

Plot

Cockney corporal Wally Winton desires promotion so that he can finally receive an inheritance. He dresses up as a priest and goes out one night with Penelope Toop, whose husband is a vicar. To add to the theme of mistaken identity, there are several priests running around, some real, some fake. One of these, Basher, is discovered by Winton to be an escaped convict, and is placed under arrest. The corporal is then promoted and becomes eligible for his inheritance.

Cast

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This screen adaptation of Philip King's popular stage farce feverishly exploits all the stock mechanics of low comedy without much success. The players do all that could be expected in the circumstances." [4]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture sticks closely to a tried and tested formula and aims its sallies at those in authority and the inevitable scandal-mongering old maid. Ronald Shiner is inclined to force the pace and hug the limelight, yet scores quite a few laughs as Wally, Greta Gynt makes a radiant Penelope, and the host of other experienced and willing troupers improvise effectively in direct support." [5]

Picturegoer wrote: "Slapstick farce that manages to raise some good laughs. The dialogue Is broad rather than witty and a quite distinguished cast struggles against odds." [6]

Picture Show wrote: "Hearty and riotous farce which tells of the amusing situations that occur when Ronald Shiner, who portrays a soldier, visits an out-of-bounds country vicarage to renew friendship with a former show business partner. This slapstick film unfolds at a lively pace and the popular cast act with gusto." [7]

References

  1. Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p. 506 [ ISBN missing ]
  2. "See How They Run". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  3. "See How They Run (1955)". Archived from the original on 16 April 2016.
  4. "See How They Run". The Monthly Film Bulletin . 22 (252): 125. 1 January 1955. ProQuest   1305820501.
  5. "See How They Run". Kine Weekly . 459 (2503): 19. 16 June 1955. ProQuest   2826277670.
  6. "See How They Run". Picturegoer . 30: 17. 4 July 1955. ProQuest   1771140915.
  7. "See How They Run". Picture Show . 1685 (65): 10. 16 July 1955. ProQuest   1879629057.