The Belles of St. Trinian's

The Belles of St. Trinian's - 1954 | 91mins | Comedy | B&W

The Production Team

Director: Frank Launder.
Producer: Sidney Gilliat and Frank Launder.
Script: Sidney Gilliat, Frank Launder and Val Valentine. (from the cartoons by Ronald Searle)
Cinematography: Stanley Pavey.
Editing: Thelma Connell.
Original Music: Malcolm Arnold.

The Cast

Alastair Sim - Clarence/Miss Fitton
Joyce Grenfell - Policewoman Ruby Gates
George Cole - Flash Harry
Hermione Baddeley - Miss Drownder
Betty Ann Davies - Miss Waters
Renee Houston - Miss Brimmer
Beryl Reid - Miss Wilson
Irene Handl - Miss Gale
Mary Merrall - Miss Buckland
Joan Sims - Miss Dawn

Plot Synopsis

A big commercial hit and rollicking comedy based on Ronald Searles's cartoons of a terrifying girls' school known as St. Trinian's.

Clarence Fritton (Alastair Sim), bookie brother of the headmistress Millicent (also Sim), of St Trinian's School for Girls, sneaks his daughter into the sixth form to pick up racing tips from the daughter of an Arabic racehorse owner. The horse, Arab Boy, is due to run in the Gold Cup and is being backed by the fourth form girls, Miss Fritton, and the school funds to win a fortune. Cockney spiv Flash Harry (George Cole) is also on hand to make a profit from the girl’s alcohol producing venture, while dotty Policewoman Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell) attempts to keep an attentive watch on proceedings. The racehorse is kidnapped by the sixth form, but rescued and wins - saving St Trinian's from bankruptcy.