While the Sun Shines

While the Sun Shines - 1947 | 82mins | Comedy | B&W

The Production Team

Director: Anthony Asquith.
Associate Producer: Teddy Baird.
Producer: Anatole de Grunwald.
Script: Terence Rattigan and Anatole de Grunwald. (from a play by Terence Rattigan)
Cinematography: Jack Hildyard.
Art Director: Tom Morahan.
Editing: Fred Wilson.
Music: Nicholas Brodsky.

The Cast

Ronald Howard - Earl of Harpenden
Bonar Colleano - Joe Mulvaney
Barbara White - Lady Elisabeth Randall
Brenda Bruce - Mabel Crum
Ronald Squire - Duke of Ayr and Sterling
Michael Allan - Colbert
Miles Malleson - Horton
Margaret Rutherford - Dr. Winifred Frye
Cyril Maude - Old Admiral
Garry Marsh - Mr. Jordan
Joyce Grenfell - Daphne
Vida Hope - Elsie
Wilfrid Hyde-White - Male Receptionist
O.B. Clarence - Old Gentleman

Plot Synopsis

While on special leave from the Navy in 1944, Lord Harpenden, an ordinary seaman, encounters Joe Mulvaney, an American officer, drunk on the pavement. He takes him home and next morning leaves early to appear before a selection board. Calling at the Albany during his absence his fiancée, Lady Elisabeth Randall, is mistaken by Mulvaney for Mabel Crum, a former girlfriend of Harpenden's. He gives her several drinks and makes love to her. A young French officer, Colbert, interrupts them and announces himself in love with Elisabeth. Harpenden returns to find he has two rivals for his fiancée and she, in emotional confusion, believes she loves the American. With the aid of the good-hearted Mabel Crum, however, Harpenden is able to win back Elisabeth and pair off Mabel with Mulvaney.
Excerpt© 'Puffin Asquith' by R.J. Minney.