Value for Money – 1955 | 90 mins | Comedy | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Clichéd ’50s romantic comedy adapted from the novel byDerrick Boothroyd, the film charts a miser who is forced to broaden his outlookon life after he takes a trip to London. Diana Dors is at her best as abrass-digging blonde but Gregson is a catalogue of regional clichés. Confidentlydirected by Ken Annakin, the film boasts some fascinating period locations, allcaptured by Geoffrey Unsworth in vibrant Technicolor.

Despite inheriting his old man’s riches, Yorkshire ragmerchant Chayley Broadbent (John Gregson) is haunted by the spirit of hismiserly father and still counts every penny, so much so that fiancée Ethel (SusanStephen) turns down his marriage proposal, unable to face a life of drudgery ashis replacement housekeeper. Rejection encourages the moneybags skinflint to departBarfield and drown his sorrows down in London, where Cup Final night throws himtogether with voluptuous gold-digging chorus gal Ruthine West (Diana Dors) whoknows a good thing when she sees it.

When Chayley returns to Barfield, still doe-eyed overRuth, the warning voice of his deceased father echoes and angry fiancée Ethelbreaks off their engagement. Chayley duly returns to London to propose to Ruth,but she makes it clear she is after a man of substance, and under the misapprehensionthat he is of meagre resources, rejects his proposal. Wounded, Chayley returnsto Barfield determined to make a name for himself and get elected onto thelocal council just to impress Ruth. He accordingly invites Ruth to the grandopening of a children’s playground in Barfield and she finally realises he’s wealthy,so quickly suggests marriage and begins spending his hard-earned cash. With thevoice of his father ringing in his ears, Chayley ditches Ruth.