Something Money Can't Buy
| Something Money Can't Buy | |
|---|---|
 British Quad poster by Dougie Post | |
| Directed by | Pat Jackson |
| Written by | Pat Jackson J.L. Hodson |
| Produced by | Joseph Janni |
| Starring | Anthony Steel Patricia Roc Moira Lister |
| Cinematography | C. M. Pennington-Richards |
| Edited by | Sidney Hayers |
| Music by | Nino Rota |
Production companies | British Film-Makers Vic Films |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Box office | £121,000[1] |
Something Money Can't Buy is a 1952 British comedy drama film directed by Pat Jackson and starring Patricia Roc, Anthony Steel and Moira Lister.[2] The film was made with backing from the NFFC as part of its British Film-Makers project with the Rank Organisation.[3] The film was distributed by Rank's General Film Distributors. In America it was released by Universal Pictures in 1953.
Production
The film was shot at Pinewood Studios near London. The film's sets were designed by the art director Alex Vetchinsky. The film was a rare comedy role for Steel, who made it immediately prior to shooting The Planter's Wife (1952). It involved Roc returning to London after two years in Paris, where she lived with her French husband. She and Steel had an affair during the making of the movie which resulted in Roc having Steel's baby.[4] It was the only comedy Steel made while a star.[5]
Plot
Harry and Anne Wilding return to civilian life after service in the army. They have trouble readjusting, and Harry eventually resigns from his council job and goes into business, selling food from a mobile canteen. Anne becomes jealous of the daughter of Harry's backer. Anne gives up her job to concentrate on her marriage.[6]
Cast
- Patricia Roc as Anne Wilding
- Anthony Steel as Captain Harry Wilding
- Moira Lister as Diana Haverstock
- A. E. Matthews as Lord Haverstock
- David Hutcheson as Buster
- Michael Trubshawe as Willy
- Diane Hart as Joan
- Charles Victor as Borough Treasurer
- Henry Edwards as Gerald Forbes
- Mary Hinton as Mrs. Forbes
- Joss Ambler as Mr. Burton, the auctioneer
- Michael Brennan as Fairground boss
- Helen Goss as Mrs. Lindstrom
- D. A. Clarke-Smith as Critic
- Mara Lane as Film Star
- John Barry as Film Star
- Joe Linnane as Cameraman
- Dennis Arundell as Director
- Oscar Quitak as 2nd Assistant director
- Irene Prador as German maid
- Olwen Brookes as Lady at party
- Margaret Vyner as Actress at party
- Basil Dignam as Head Waiter
- Johnnie Schofield as Irish Policeman
- Fred Griffiths as Customer at Fairground
- Ernie Rice as Boxing Booth Assistant
- Avice Landone as Maternity Sister
- Dandy Nichols as Reassuring Mother
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin described it as "a double disappointment from the director of White Corridors; the poverty-stricken material apart, its staging is uncharacteristically flabby, with none of the polish and professionalism of its predecessor."[7]
Variety said it was "handled with an assured light touch by a competent cast".[8]
Pat Jackson later said "It ought to have been a good film, it had a certain charm, the story had a certain charm. I think I just did it badly, I directed badly, I don't know what it was, it just didn't work. It was my fault and that was it; it was as simple as that...It needed great lightness of touch, which I didn't get... It was all in the script, the script was charming. I think James and I wrote a nice script and he was a great help and a wonderful man, James. But no. I botched it."[9]
References
- ^ BFI Collections: Michael Balcon Papers H3 reprinted in British Cinema of the 1950s: The Decline of Deference By Sue Harper, Vincent Porter p 41
- ^ "NEW BRITISH COMEDY". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 3 June 1953. p. 40. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ Harper & Porter p.41
- ^ "Talking of Films". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 13 February 1952. p. 31. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (23 September 2020). "The Emasculation of Anthony Steel: A Cold Streak Saga". Filmink.
- ^ Something Money Can't Buy Picture Show; London Vol. 59, Iss. 1533, (Aug 16, 1952): 5-6, 10
- ^ SOMETHING MONEY CAN'T BUY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 19, Iss. 216, (Jan 1, 1952): 124.
- ^ Review of film at Variety
- ^ "Pat Jackson interview" (PDF). British Entertainment History Project. 22 March 1991.
Bibliography
- Harper, Sue & Porter, Vincent. British Cinema of the 1950s: The Decline of Deference. Oxford University Press, 2007.