What the Butler Saw is a 1950 British second feature ('B')[1] comedy film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Edward Rigby, Henry Mollison and Mercy Haystead.[2][3] The screenplay was by A.R. Rawlinson and E. J. Mason, from an original story by Roger and Donald Good. It was made by Hammer Films.[4]
| What the Butler Saw | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | Godfrey Grayson |
| Screenplay by | A. R. Rawlinson E. J. Mason |
| Based on | An original story by Roger and Donald Good |
| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring | Edward Rigby |
| Cinematography | Walter J. Harvey (as Walter Harvey) |
| Edited by | James Needs |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 60 mins |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThe Earl, having retired as the Governor of a British-owned tropical island, returns home to finds that Lapis, the daughter of the island's king, has stowed away in his luggage. She has fallen in love with his butler, Bembridge. Together, they try to keep her hidden and get her out of the country.
Cast
edit- Edward Rigby as the Earl
- Henry Mollison as Bembridge
- Mercy Haystead as Lapis
- Michael Ward as Gerald
- Eleanor Hallam as Lady Mary
- Peter Burton as Bill Fenton
- Anne Valery as Elaine
- Howard Charlton as Perks
- Alfred Harris as Bishop
- George Bishop as the General
- Norman Pitt as policeman
Reception
editPicturegoer wrote: "Edward Rigby's picture. Without him this latest effort by Exclusive Films would creak badly. But even his wonderful wit cannot prevent it from being dull and slow in parts. Few of the situations are original. ... Henry Mollison does not always show the poise associated with a good butler."[5]
Picture Show wrote: "Farcical comedy, directed without subtlety, acted with liveliness."[6]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Rigby's valiant efforts keep farce going."[7]
References
edit- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "What the Butler Saw". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "What the Butler Saw". BFI. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009.
- ^ Heffernan, Kevin (2004). Ghouls, gimmicks, and gold: horror films and the American movie business, 1953–1968. Duke University Press. p. 45. ISBN 978-0822332022.
- ^ "What the Butler Saw". Picturegoer. 20: 17. 1 September 1950 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "What the Butler Saw". Picture Show. 55 (1432): 12. 9 September 1950 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 398. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
External links
edit- What the Butler Saw at IMDb
- What the Butler Saw at Hammer Films
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