The Family Way – 1966 | 115mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

This dated Boulting brothers comedy, adapted from a play by Bill Naughton, nestles uncomfortably between two eras. Half the characters – the stem patriarchs and blowsy housewives – seem to have escaped from one of their satires of the 50s, but the youngsters belong to a different world altogether.

The coy storyline hinges on a newlywed couple filled with marital anticipation, bridegroom Arthur (Hywel Bennett) and beautiful young Jenny (Hayley Mills) find themselves unable to consummate their marriage when the bed collapses due to a practical joke played by their friends. Their honeymoon plans fall through, forcing them to spending the night at the home of Arthur’s parents, where nervousness and a lack of privacy make it difficult for them to enjoy their first night together. The pick of the performances comes from John Mills as Arthur’s beer-quaffing, macho but ultimately kind-hearted father. Paul McCartney wrote the music in his first film score.