Saloon Bar

This is a thoroughly enjoyable film, compulsive viewing for all who might enjoy drinking in the pre-War atmosphere of London in 1939 and early 1940 just before the Blitz. The film is based on a stage play, a kind of early 'Mousetrap' concept, a whodunnit essentially taking place in a single set. The atmosphere of this saloon bar, where the main characters congregate, is brilliantly conveyed. The film is stuffed full of delightful character actors all doing a great job. The film is well directed by Walter Forde, an experience old-timer, two of whose better known films are 'Rome Express' (1932) and 'Bulldog Jack' (1935). This is quintessentially English, and since things which are quintessentially English barely exist any more, the film has thus become an invaluable archaeological artifact. The film may not be 'multi-cultural', but it is certainly 'multi-social', as every class of society participates in the action and interacts in a manner which will be fascinating to social historians. My wife and I, as old friends of Judy Campbell, were delighted to see her performance in this classic as 'Doris of the Shakespeare', at which she thoroughly excelled as a rather embittered young barmaid from a rival pub. The lead character is an extroverted bookie, played by Gordon Harker, who takes the lead in trying to clear a friend of a murder charge for which he will be executed on the following morning. The condemned man's girlfriend, another barmaid, is played by Elizabeth Allan. She is far less charming than Judy. I sat next to her a couple of times at dinner when she was an old lady and found her vanity really too much to take. It shows in this film. Mervyn Johns is terribly funny in this film, glum and solemn as he sits on 'his stool' and will not get off it for any reason, making wry comments throughout all the action. While everything else is happening, a baby is being born, some scruffy kids are singing Christmas carols (12 year-old Roddy MacDowell amongst them), there is a parody of a feather-headed chorus girl ('he behaved like a perfect gentleman, he took his hands away as soon as I asked him'), and any number of amusing characters and incidents. What happens about the whodunnit aspects must remain a secret, but does not disappoint. This film is a real joy, and should be reissued on DVD so that people can see it.

This is probably the greatest film, set entirely inside a pub, ever made (admittedly a small field). The interest is not on the whodunit plot, and certainly not on the plausibility of the premise that the regulars in a pub could solve a mystery in a single night before closing time. But the combination of a group of vintage character actors doing their stuff, in a setting dripping with nostalgic possibilities, is irresistible. Mervyn Johns at his most lugubrious, spending virtually the entire picture on a barstool; Gordon Harker as a bumptious bookie; Roddy Hughes as a vague, cheery doctor; a wonderfully characterised set of bar staff; a hilarious group of cheeky carol singers (including the young Roddy McDowall). The film gives a tremendous sense of the small communities in the middle of London in the immediate pre-war, and the transient populations of rich and poor alike who might wander through. The historians and sociologists can detect the wartime social solidarity about to break down; those who lived through the times can enjoy the nostalgia. Warm, funny and brilliantly realised.

You get a lovely warm and cosy feeling from watching this. The plot isn't that important, what matters is getting to know these characters. By the end you feel you've known them all your life and that this pub is your very own local.

This was made just after the industry's favourite uncle, Michael Balcon had rescued Basil Dean's faltering Ealing studio. He'd shortly make it one of the most distinctive parts of the mighty Rank empire and this little picture gives a true taste of things to come.

So little happens, the direction is static but none of that matters, it's all about the mood. Ealing Studios would eventually specialise in this style of coziness. A lot of what they made was a bit "too nice" but this early entry still has a bit of 1930s edginess to it.

You'll also be racking your brain like I've been doing for the last 24 hours wondering who on earth barmaid Ivy, played by Anna Konstam is the spitting image of.

British character actors at their best. The wonderful Gordon Harker stands out as usual but there isn't a weak link in the cast. The story is okay but doesn't matter that much, it's all about the atmosphere and the cast. A real comedy drama with the accent on the comedy. Why don't the make films like this any more and thank you Talking Pictures for making so many available.

This film is based on a stage play but doesn't fall into the traps of adaptation. It is neither static not slow moving.

The film was made by the husband and wife team of Walter and Culley Forde. Very rare for a woman to be in such a position in those days.

A very experienced cast is a great help. Felix Aylmer in a very brief role. Martin Clunes father,Alec,plays the convicted murderer. One of my favourites,Gordon Harker,plays the lead role of a bookie trying to clear the convicted murderer before the following mornings execution. Mervyn John's is propped up in his corner giving forth with often inappropriate sayings.

A first class thriller.