Les belles de Saint-Trinian

The first of five St Trinian's films (although the last is usually discounted) was based around artist Ronald Searle's schoolgirl characters, and features the wonderful Alastair Sim in drag as Millicent Fritton, headmistress, as well as her own brother. Much of the humour is dated, yet curiously touching and outrageous in today's PC world - the girls drink, gamble, smoke and are later sold off to rich Arabs, yet always remain in charge, defeating bureaucrats, police, judges and other establishment figures as they maraud across England. Perhaps because the films have been so regularly seen on TV, St Trinians still inspires fancy dress parties and club nights. The films have recurring characters that include PC Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell) and Flash Harry (George Cole). The precursor to the entire series is a charming film called 'The Happiest Days Of Your Life' (1950).

Alistair Simms is a wonder in this. He makes such a good headmistress. The role given here for George Cole was made for him. Hence, the casting job on this film was perfect. I think it was one of those rare occasions where everything clicked. the story line was good, the comic dialogue a scream and the older prefect girls a delight!! Each character you are endeared to, even the villains. Why can't we make films like this any more. Basically, this is a very English comedy with good movement and fluidity.

The Belles Of St Trinian's (1954) -

While I would have always said that the earlier St Trinian's films were the better ones, having only recently watched the reboot from 2007, I think that the first ever cinematic outing for the girls just lacked something that the newer one had (The sequel (2009) wasn't much good though) I can only assume that the following 'Blue Murder At' (1957) and 'Pure Hell Of' (1960) films were the ones that resonated with me as a younger viewer during school holidays. Those and 'The Great Train Robbery' (1966) of course, which I know was brilliant as it's the one I have seen most often.

This one was a bit of a simple story and the girls didn't seem to be as united as they later became, so it was difficult to know whose side to be on?

With the Rupert Everett ones, the girls are all working together to keep the school running, in order to continue their shenanigans unhampered, but this film had them all broken in to factions against the headmistress and each other, in a selfish way, which didn't show them at their best.

Alistair Sim was of course superb in the dual role of Miss Fritton and her Brother Clarence and the majority of the others did a good job too. Not to forget dear old George Cole, who will eternally be remembered as Flash Harry and how could he not be with that portrayal as good as it is.

There's no denying that it's still great fun to watch and lead the way for the others that followed admirably, as well as probably a number of other films that must surely have used this as a reference to realise genius comedy, full of innuendo for years after, but it's not my favourite of the collection.

577.22/1000.

The Belles of St. Trinian's was the first of the St. Trinian's film series, based on the popular cartoons by Ronald Searle, which followed the exploits of the tearaway students and scurrilous staff at a notorious all-girls boarding school.

The audience for these films can be divided into two main groups: Young kids, for whom the St.Trinian's girls' rebellious behaviour provides a source of wish fulfilment; and middle-aged men, who watch for the more shapely, older students, with their short skirts, stockings, suspenders, and oh-so-tight gym shorts. I used to be in the first category; now I'm in the second.

The plot is predictable comic book high jinks, the naughty fourth formers trying to win a bundle by betting on Arab Boy in the Gold Cup, the horse belonging to the wealthy Sultan of Makyad (Eric Pohlmann), father of new student Princess Fatima (Lorna Henderson). Meanwhile, the sixth formers attempt to steal the horse so that another nag will win the race, making a nice bundle for Clarence Fritton (Alistair Sims), brother of headmistress Millicent (who has bet the school's last few hundred pounds on Arab Boy!).

In the tradition of the great British pantomime, The Belles of St. Trinian's features a man in drag as a principle character (Sims also plays Millicent), lots of slapstick, and just a bit of sauciness. This formula has made the series a much-loved institution in the UK, the series rebooted in 2007, and the sexy schoolgirl uniform still a popular choice for fancy-dress parties and hen-nights.

The cast all look as though they're having a great time joining in on the mayhem, and the fun is infectious. Also serving to make this film hugely entertaining are Joyce Grenfell as undercover cop P.W. Sgt. Ruby Gates, George Cole as shifty spiv 'Flash' Harry (whose appearance is accompanied by his own jaunty theme music), and several familiar faces amongst the supporting players: Joan Sims, Irene Handl, and Beryl Reid as teachers, Sid James as Clarence's pal Benny, Hammer horror regular Michael Ripper as stable lad Albert, and Shirley Eaton and Barbara Windsor as students (but good luck in spotting them).

7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for tragic Brit bombshell Belinda Lee as sexy sixth form girl Amanda. Phwoar!

I first saw this film in the late fifties or early sixties on tv. If I recall correctly there were a few other films in the story of the St. Trinian's Belles. I don't remember the others quite well, but the first one is without question one of the funniest films out of Britain I have ever seen. For that matter, out of anywhere. The sight gags are fast and furious, the dialogue is to die for and almost all the characters are brilliantly drawn and just plain funny. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves immensely. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates good old fashioned comedy (not rated R) and I think even children will love it. This is one of those movies (and its sequels) that I would pay almost anything to own. Enjoy it if you ever get a chance to see it.