Steve Crook

Or that were ever funny

They kept our parents and grandparents amused through the war

Steve

Steve Crook

The Mudlark (1950)
What a delightful film. Shown yesterday afternoon on Channel 4, I've just spent a most enjoyable time watching it again.

Standout performances from Finlay Currie as John Brown, Irene Dunne as Queen Victoria and Alec Guinness who put on the false nose to play Benjamin Disraeli. And of course a superb performance from Andrew Ray as Wheeler, the Mudlark

It's 1876 or thereabouts. Queen Victoria is still mourning her beloved Prince Albert and hasn't shown herself in public for 15 years since his death. Disraeli wants to put a reform act through parliament to help the underprivileged but is facing some stiff opposition. Wheeler is a mudlark, an orphan aged about 10, scavenging a living on the banks of the Thames in London.

Wheeler finds the body of a sailor washed up on the river and in one of his pockets he finds a cameo of Queen Victoria. He shows it to a friend who tells Wheeler that she is the Mother of the nation. Wheeler takes this literally and having no mother of his own he decides to go and see her in Windsor castle.

He sneaks in and wanders around the place in some amazement. He even manages to get into the dining room where the Queen is about to eat. But hiding behind a curtain in the warm room, the day gets to be too much for him and he falls asleep. His snores alert the Queen and she is quickly whisked out of the room before Wheeler is revealed and captured.

John Brown takes him in hand for a while and Finlay Currie does a lovely show of someone getting gradually more and more drunk. Not staggering around but just occasionally not sure which way is up

There's all sorts on nonsense and outright fantasy printed in the newspapers ('twas ever thus) about Wheeler and his motives. Some even thinking he meant to harm the Queen.

Disraeli finally has to make a speech in Parliament, and what a great speech it is. Explaining how, despite the country's best efforts to do him down and kill him off, Wheeler still loves his country and his Queen. This of course is to the advantage of his campaign to help all the underprivileged children like Wheeler and ends to rousing cheers from the whole house.

But the Queen isn't happy with Disraeli. In his speech he said how in times past, children would be able to see their Queen as she travelled around. But since she's become the "Widow of Windsor" she can't be seen by her loyal subjects, and they want to see her.

But just as the Queen is about to dismiss Disraeli and continue in her seclusion, the curtains rustle, and Wheeler pops his head out. Yes, he's sneaked into the castle again because he still hasn't seen the Queen. He is introduced and of course her hard heart melts. She realises that she was being selfish and that she should see to her people.

And they all lived happily ever after


Andrew Ray, son of comedian Ted Ray, made a charming little urchin. He was only 10 or 11 when the film was made and he gives a very assured performance.

The rest of the cast is full of all the stalwarts of British films. A few good side-stories like the lady in waiting to the Queen (Beatrice Campbell) who wanted to run off with the Guards officer (a very young Anthony Steel, as wooden as ever) despite being told they were an unsuitable match. But whenever they arranged to meet outside the back door he got called away to some other important duties and she was left in the cold, the wind and eventually the snow. But they did finally get together.

A few good, obvious messages for the viewing public to take away with them but also a very entertaining and rewarding film

Steve

stevie boy

where is your spoiler alert Mr. Crook???

Freddy

Sad to see that both Andrew Ray and his brother Robin both died at the young age of 64

stevie boy

I watched the Apprentice, the format is getting a little bit tired.

batman

The 1972 'Christmas Special' of Public Eye. Marker gets involved in a domestic dispute which has consequences that would have done Brian Rix proud. A hugely entertaining light-hearted episode featuring great performances from 'Sir' Alfred Burke, Tony Melody and Michael Bates. Penny Spencer from Please Sir also makes a rather revealing appearance. Great fun.

There are 31 excellent quizzes to bamboozle you on the Quiz Page. Just click on the 'Quick Links' icon and scroll down!

Steve Crook

Getting?

Steve

Harbottle

Barnacle Bill (1957) DVD-R. Certainly not a classic Ealing comedy, but starring Alec Guinness it still possesses charm and is gently amusing. Some of the usual features are to be found like the little man battling bureaucracy, and fine support from the likes of Percy Herbert, Maurice Denham and Irene Brown.

smudge

Just watched the conclusion of ASHES TO ASHES...

Awful episode with an 'impact' ending tacked on for effect - and the bad news is that there really will be a second series.

Smudge

Welcome to my house. Enter freely, and of your own will...

batman

Public Eye. Another fine episode from the 1972/73 series with Marker involved in a dispute over a will. Great acting and writing.

There are 31 excellent quizzes to bamboozle you on the Quiz Page. Just click on the 'Quick Links' icon and scroll down!

stevie boy

what a character Frank Marker, superb. I watched an episode of Minder with your old mate Dennis in it. Very good and to be fair he did play Terry Mcann very well

vaggmk1938

I watched on TCM (USA) this morning the Walbrook/Wynyard Gaslight which I loved, and thought it better than the Bergman/Boyer version. Was a little thrown by the differences in the characters, in the first, the murdered woman is the husband's aunt; in the second, the wife's aunt.

As I am sure Bats has either been in the play, or seen it innumerable times, would you mind telling us which is closer to the original stage play of 1938? Also which version you prefer and why.

batman

Ha! I have been in it ..... when I was first acting I played one of the constables who arrest Paul Mallen at the end.

The Walbrook/Wynyard version is closer to the play. It retains the Rough character who was dumped from the remake in favour of some romantic interest between Bergman and Cotton. The atmosphere of the play is quite stark and sinister, IMHO the remake has a little too much 'production' and 'warmth' to it.

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vaggmk1938

Thanks Bats!

CaptainWaggett

The Boys in Brown - because everybody loves a 35-tear-old Borstal boy.