Hindle Wakes – 1952 | 82 mins | Drama | B&W

Plot Synopsis

Filmed at Merton Park Studios and on location, this fourth screen adaptation of Stanley Houghton’s celebrated play about the financial and sexual independence of Lancashire mill-girl was fatally dated at the time of release and unsurprisingly failed to find an audience. This was only the second film role for attractive actress Lisa Daniely, and she produces a touching and likeable portrayal of heroine Jenny. Bill Travers and Michael Medwin have supporting roles.

Two north-country mill girls from Hindle go for a week’s holiday in Blackpool. While Mary Hollins (Sandra Dorne) is paired off with snobbish George Ackroyd (Michael Medwin), vibrant Jenny Hawthorne (Lisa Daniely) becomes romantically involved with the boss’s playboy son Alan (Brian Worth), and together they slip away for a romantic encounter in Llandudno. When Jenny returns home she tries to hide it from her interfering parents by saying she spent the time with Mary, but when her friend died in a sailing accident, she is forced to admit the shameful affair. Much to the consternation of both families, Jenny snubs her nose at marriage to the boss’ son and gaily assures her parents that she’ll earn her own living.