For Better, for Worse | |
---|---|
Directed by | J. Lee Thompson |
Written by | J. Lee Thompson Peter Myers Alec Grahame |
Based on | For Better, for Worse by Arthur Watkyn |
Produced by | Kenneth Harper |
Starring | Dirk Bogarde Susan Stephen Cecil Parker Eileen Herlie Athene Seyler |
Cinematography | Guy Green |
Edited by | Peter Taylor |
Music by | Angela Morley |
Production company | Kenwood Productions |
Distributed by | Associated British-Pathe |
Release date |
|
Running time | 85 minutres |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Box office | £206,736 (UK) [1] |
For Better, for Worse (U.S. title Cocktails in the Kitchen) is a 1954 British comedy film in Eastmancolor directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Dirk Bogarde, Susan Stephen and Cecil Parker. [2] It was based on Arthur Watkyn's play of the same title.
Tony and Anne are a young couple who decide to get married. However Tony does not have the required prospects that her father insists on, so he sets his future son-in-law some conditions before allowing the wedding.
The film was based on a play by Arthur Watkins of the British Board of Film Censors, who wrote plays under the pen name Arthur Watkyn. [3] The play debuted in London in December 1952 with a cast including Leslie Philips, Dandy Nichols and Geraldine McEwan. [4] Reviews called it "agreeable". [5] It was a huge success, running for over 500 performances. The play was performed on radio and television. [6]
Film rights were purchased by Associated British. Susan Stephens had just been in His Excellency (1952) for Ealing Studios. [7]
It was the first role for Pia Terri from Italy. [8]
Filming took place at Elstree Studios, starting 1 March 1954. [9] It was the first film shot there to use Eastman colour. [10] The film's sets were designed by the art director Michael Stringer.
The film was successful at the box office in Britain, helped in part by the fact Dirk Bogarde had just been seen in Doctor in the House (1954). [1] According to Kinematograph Weekly the film was a "money maker" at the British box office in 1954. [11]
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "There is nothing very original about this domestic comedy, adapted from a successful stage play, but it is played with charm and vivacity by Susan Stephen and Dirk Bogarde, and a supporting cast of experienced players brings more life than usual to some familiar types – tiresome spinster (Athene Seyler), talkative char (Thora Hird), worldly-wise middle-class parents (Eileen Herlie and Cecil Parker). Only Dennis Price and Pia Terri, as the couple in the flat above, rather force the note. Direction is smooth, Eastmancolour pleasing, and the settings also have more chic and style than usual. The young couple even sleep between white and pastel blues striped sheets." [12]
Sky Movies noted "Arthur Watkyn's famous stage success has proved successful material for drama societies up and down the land – but still comes up like new in this bright little film version ... Warm, human and charmingly funny domestic comedy, dressed up as fresh as paint by the colour camerawork." [13]
Athene Seyler, CBE was an English actress.
The Sea Shall Not Have Them is a 1954 British war film starring Michael Redgrave, Dirk Bogarde and Anthony Steel. It was directed by Lewis Gilbert and is based on the 1953 novel by John Harris, about a North Sea rescue during the Second World War. The musical soundtrack is by composer Malcolm Arnold.
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For better or worse, For better or for worse or For better, for worse may refer to:
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Doctor at Large is a 1957 British comedy film directed by Ralph Thomas, the third of the seven films in the Doctor series. It stars Dirk Bogarde, Muriel Pavlow, Donald Sinden and James Robertson Justice. It is based on the 1955 novel of the same title by Richard Gordon.
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One Good Turn is a 1955 British comedy film directed by John Paddy Carstairs and starring Norman Wisdom, Joan Rice, Shirley Abicair and Thora Hird. The main setting of the film is an English children's home, located south of London.
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Arthur Thomas Levi Watkins (1907–1965) was a British public official who served as Secretary of the British Board of Film Censors from 1948 to 1956, then as vice-president of the British Film Producers' Association.
For Better, for Worse is a comedy play by the British writer Arthur Watkyn. It was first performed at the Q Theatre in Kew Bridge in 1948. It enjoyed a lengthy and successful run at the Comedy Theatre in London's West End where it lasted for 618 performances between 17 December 1952 and 12 June 1954. The original West End cast included Leslie Phillips, Geraldine McEwan, Tom Macaulay, Anthony Sharp, Gwynne Whitby, Polly Elwes, Aimée Delamain, Charles Lamb and Dandy Nichols. It was directed by Kenneth Riddington who also appeared in the cast. The plot revolves around the trials and tribulations of a newly-married couple.