Saloon Bar

A forgotten comedy-drama from Ealing that rarely puts a foot wrong as it deftly picks its way between a number of plot holes and pays no heed to the implausibilities of its storyline. Gordon Harker is on good form as a bookie who leads an investigation by the locals of a pub into the wrongful murder conviction of one of their locals (played by Martin Clunes' Dad) who is scheduled for execution the following day. Mervyn Johns quietly tries to steal the film as that staple of the British local - the regular with his own bar stool.

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.

From 1940, the British "Saloon Bar" takes place mostly in a couple of bars as characters work to save a friend from hanging. Their friend, Eddie (Alec Clunes), has been convicted of killing an old woman for her money. The money hasn't been found; however, a list of the serial numbers were submitted to pubs and stores.

One of the bills shows up at the bar. The group endeavors to find out where it came from - is that person perhaps the murderer?

Warm film that takes place around Christmastime and is complete with awful carolers, one of whom is little Roddy McDowall.

The cast includes Mervyn Johns, Gordon Harker, Roddy Hughes, Elizabeth Allan as the condemned man's girlfriend, Joyce Barbour, and Judy Campbell. Allan is quite beautiful - I wasn't really familiar with her until this film. The acting was all solid from veteran character actors.

Recommended.

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.

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.