Brandy for the Parson

James Donald - Bill Harper
Kenneth More - Tony Rackham
Jean Lodge - Petronilla Brand
Frederick Piper - Customs inspector
Michael Trubshawe - Redworth
Alfie Bass - Dallyn
Wilfrid Caithness - Mr. Minch
Lionel Harris - Mr. Frost
Richard Molinar - Massaud
Reginald Beckwith - Scoutmaster

Amiable Ealing-style comedy set around the smuggling of alcohol during the post-war rationing period. The film was shot by Group3, the government-subsidised production company overseen by renowned documentary filmmaker John Grierson, and directed at a leisurely pace by fellow documentarist John Eldridge. Eldridge and documentary cinematographer Martin Curtis make excellent use of some appropriate Southern England locations and the scenery often eclipse the narrative. James Donald is comparatively anonymous as the film’s lead and it’s left to co-star Kenneth More to enliven proceedings by displaying the typically well-mannered and mischievous demeanour that would make him a major star the following year in Henry Cornelius’ Genevieve (1953). The film is further enhanced by capable support from a band of familiar British character actors including Alfie Bass, Charles Hawtrey, Reginald Beckwith and Sam Kydd.

Young couple Bill and Petronilla (James Donald and Jean Lodge) on a summer yachting holiday on the South coast offer to take fellow sailor Tony Rackham (Kenneth More) to France when they inadvertently sink his motor boat. On the return voyage across the Channel, the jovial Rackham confesses that he is smuggling brandy for a respectable London wine merchant. The couple help Rackham to conceal the 14 barrels of brandy beneath the tide when back in England, but after a visit from a prying Customs and Excise officer (Stanley Lemin) they feel compelled to help out again.

Whilst Rackham employs the assistance of grocery van driver George Crumb (Charles Hawtrey) to help him retrieve the alcohol, Bill and Petronilla have already set off inland with the brandy thanks to the effort of a scout troupe in carrying the barrels. Soon the couple, Rackham and Crumb all meet up, and decide the only answer is to deliver their cargo to London by fleeing cross-country along the old Roman road. Rackham ventures to London to arrange collection at the New Inn public house in Cordley whilst Bill, Petronilla and Crumb travel through the countryside with a pack of circus ponies carrying the barrels. When the weather turns stormy the trio stop off overnight at the farmhouse of Redworth (Michael Trubshawe), who offers to distribute the liquor locally – the trio decline, insisting the brandy isn’t theirs.

In Cordley the quartet once again meet up to deliver the brandy, but just as Dallyn (Alfie Bass) is loading up his van the Customs officer surfaces and all involved in the smuggling take flight. They return to Radworth’s farm and accede with his earlier suggestion to distribute the contraband locally – which the farmer does the following morning during his milk deliveries. Only one barrel remains at the farm and despite Rackham’s best attempt to conceal it, the Custom’s officers discover the brandy and arrest the quartet. Subsequently all four are hauled before the judge on smuggling charges.