Vote for Huggett

Joe Huggett (Jack Warner) writes to the local paper with a proposal for a new lido in a public space. Leisure facilities are much needed in post war London.

Only shady councillor Mr Hall is not keen on the idea. He has alternative plans for that area.

Some locals urge Joe to run for the council himself. Then he will be in the best position to push the plans through.

Councillor Hall is aghast at this. Even sending his wife to Mrs Huggett that she will be expected to do public speaking as a councillor's spouse. Thus persuade her husband not to stand for elections.

Then there is the matter of a piece of land that Mrs Huggett owns with another relative who wants to sell the land. Mrs Hubbard is against it and it plays straight into the plans for the leisure facilities.

As a gentle satire this does not hold up to close scrutiny. It is meant to be mocking post war social and class distinctions. Councillor Hall thinks he is born to rule. Being a politician is not for the little people.

Joe's daughter Susan works for a snobbish and unscrupulous boss who has designs on her. Even though he is married and she has a boyfriend.

What really lets the film down are the stereotypes of the women. Seen to be rather dim or greedy. It ends with Joe telling his wife. 'There are two things that I cannot bear in this world: beautiful women and intelligent women. You are neither beautiful nor intelligent.'

It was said without irony or any other kind of humour.