Where There's a Will

I suppose most of us, if told we had inherited something, would find our eyes light up. Not so much this family of East London Cockneys who have inherited a run-down old farm in Devon after it's owner had a rather terminal encounter with a land mine. It is about as far away from London as they can go without a passport (assuming any of them actually had one). Upon arrival, they discover it's pretty much a dump and they are keen to just be rid of the place - and, fortunately, there are no shortage of folks wanting to obtain the land. Snag is, one of the family - "Alfie" (Leslie Dwyer) decides that he is tired of working in a bathhouse, and his niece "June" (Ann Hanslip) who is equally fed up with the relentless drudge of 1950s London life decides to help him make a go of the enterprise. What now ensues are a series of enjoyable escapades as they are, quite literally, fleeced by the locals, the ever pervasive Ministry and are soon ruing the day they ever saw the place. It is one of these gently internecine dramas, with everyone trying to pull a flanker before an ending that is as inevitable as it is enjoyable. It's maybe its a bit too basic, this - charming, yes - but the script and characterisations are little better than adaptations that might have worked (or, maybe did) better on the wireless. Still, it is quite a fun tale that raises a smile and makes you rethink that expression about gift horses.

Cole's Flash Harry (of St Trinian's) is often seen as the forerunner for his iconic Arfur Daley character, but his role here seems even more like him; the quick banter, the sly penny-pinching with a wink etc.

Generally, the film feels like a stage play. Once the 'townies go rural' joke has been established (rocky ride to the farm, sleep on straw beds etc) the rest of it mainly concerns who owns the right to the place. It's 3 against 1 in the family as they all want to sell it and Leslie Dwyer wants to stay there, farm and escape life in the big smoke. It's a good central role for him and a sweet bit of romance with long-term housekeeper Kathleen Harrison. Dandy Nichols is reliably enjoyable and watch for a young Edward Woodward - i actually didn't realise it was him until the end credits!

Overall, it's no classic Ealing satire or Will Hay romp and despite characters being perhaps a little obvious and the script over-wordy - it is still quite a cosy kind of film.

A wealth of familiar faces comprise the talent in this better than average British B movie comedy. Many of whom went on to later (and wider) TV stardom. The plot is standard comedy bordering on grace fate, surrounding a Will and the usual machinations around money and morals ensues. The wonderful (and sadly neglected) Kathleen Harrison brings a warm heart to the centre of it, and likewise Leslie Dwyer brings a degree of charm that makes us root for these two unlikely romantic suitors amidst the skullduggery. Grey power at the box office isn't new! The film crackles along at a great pace. The financial ramifications of various legal positions are hard to follow, but it doesn't matter to the enjoyment of the piece. Warm chuckles all round.

Storyline: Cockney extended family decamp to the countryside, after inheriting ramshackle farm in Devon to try their hand at farming. Leslie Dwyer, stalwart character actor of British films, George Cole, with permanent fag in the mouth, plays a 'spiv' - a sort of Flash Harry, a role he reprised in several later films and the irrepressible Kathleen Harrison of 'Meet the Huggetts' fame are all a joy to watch. Leslie Dwyer, who plays middle aged Alfie Brewer, enthuses about taking up farming as a way of life, as he can't wait to see the back of London and 'Turkish baths' where he was gainfully employed, but the rest of the 'family' are distinctively underwhelmed with 'working on the soil,' and would rather sell the place. However, Dwyer finds an ally in his dreams of running a farm by striking up a very friendly relationship with the deceased farmer's housekeeper, played by the delightful Kathleen Harrison, a spirited and canny woman, who encourages him to pursue his rural dreams with her. There's only one 'fly in the ointment' which is the housekeeper sees herself as being a lot more than a housekeeper/companion to Dwyer! My problem with the film is there are too many stereotypical characters and a storyline overburdened with too much dialogue about the interminable problems of the mortgage, which after a while became a total bore! On hindsight, this light hearted comedy would have been better and more interesting as a TV series of six episodes as a way of developing the writer's (R. F. Delderfield) characters. Nevertheless, the film is a pleasure to watch as it features so many talented character actors, who went on to appear in countless films over the decades.

Adapted by R.F.Delderfield from his own stage farce and directed without much enthusiasm by Vernon Sewell. Despite quite a few shots of a wintry-looking Devon it still manages to feel studio-bound.

Full of vaguely naughty references to things like illegitimacy, chamber pots and the 'News of the World'. Interest is provided amidst a cast of veterans by two newcomers in their twenties: Edward Woodward (leaner and with a a higher hairline than he had twenty years later) repeating his stage role, and a caustic young Thelma Ruby, now at 95 the final surviving member of the cast.