Hand in Hand – 1960 | 78 mins | Drama | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Intelligent and sympathetic children’s film told in flashback that makes a gentle plea for religious tolerance and love. Philip Leacock, renowned for his handling of child actors, does another excellent job evenly directing this family-oriented story of two children whose friendship overcomes barriers of religion and prejudice. The two young stars are ably supported by a cast of veteran character actors, and especially impressive is the young Loretta Parry as the charmingly innocent little Jewish girl.

Two seven-year-old children, the Jewish Rachel Mathias (Loretta Parry) and the Catholic Michael O’Malley (Philip Needs) become friends. Their parents and school friends draw attention to religious biases,but the children resist the bigotry and manage to maintain their close bond. To test the strength of their friendship, each attends the religious services observed by the other, and each is frightened by the strange rituals witnessed.Together they venture around St Albans, fantasising of becoming blood brothers as in the popular b&w films, meeting a member of royalty – sweet hearted Lady Caroline (Sybil Thorndike), and of travelling to Africa together. They subsequently set sail for Africa in a dinghy, but tragedy appears to curtail their fantasy voyage, and Michael runs to Father Timothy (John Gregson) for comfort.