A country vicar (Bobby Howes) in rural England, has to protect his ward (Dorothy Boyd) from blackmail. In doing so he becomes involved in crime a little more sinister than he imagines. Dated comedy, viewable mainly for its curiosity value. However, it does retain a certain charm. The performances are stilted by todays standards, although I doubt whether it was ever intended to be taken too seriously.
3 Reviews
Worth seeing!
JohnHowardReid5 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Director: WALTER FORDE. Screenplay: Angus MacPhail. Scenario: H. Fowler Mear. Additional dialogue: Sidney Gilliat. Based on the 1929 stage play by Arnold Ridley. Photography: William Shenton. Film editor: Ian Dalrymple. Art director: Walter W. Murton. Camera assistant: Gilbert Taylor. Assistant director: T.L. Rich. Sound supervisor: George Gunn. Sound recording: Henry Hand. RCA Sound System. Producer: Michael Balcon. A Gainsborough Picture, presented by Gaumont-British Picture Corporation Ltd. Made at Islington Studios, London. Mr. Forde's services by arrangement with Archibald Nettlefold.
Copyright 1931 by Gainsborough Pictures (1928) Ltd. No U.S. copyright. No theatrical release in the U.S.A. London trade show: 17 February 1931. U.K. release through W. & F. Film Service: 9 November 1931. (W. & F. = Woolfe and Freedman). 85 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A clergyman teams up with a felon to recover letters from a blackmailer.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Suitable for all.
COMMENT: One of the first of the "unlikely partners" movies, a genre which is still super-popular at the box-office. Much of the humor derives from the juxtaposition of two opposing cultures, neither of which fully understands the other. Bobby Howes is perfectly cast as the bewildered rector, at sea on a raft of Cockney and criminal slang; whilst Gordon Harker has one of his best roles as the amiable cut-throat.
Copyright 1931 by Gainsborough Pictures (1928) Ltd. No U.S. copyright. No theatrical release in the U.S.A. London trade show: 17 February 1931. U.K. release through W. & F. Film Service: 9 November 1931. (W. & F. = Woolfe and Freedman). 85 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A clergyman teams up with a felon to recover letters from a blackmailer.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Suitable for all.
COMMENT: One of the first of the "unlikely partners" movies, a genre which is still super-popular at the box-office. Much of the humor derives from the juxtaposition of two opposing cultures, neither of which fully understands the other. Bobby Howes is perfectly cast as the bewildered rector, at sea on a raft of Cockney and criminal slang; whilst Gordon Harker has one of his best roles as the amiable cut-throat.
The Bishop of Mombasa
muckydog211 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
This currently shows rated at 5.5 stars. The fact that there is more skill and quality than 95% of current Hollywood output is, well not unexpected. A simple story told with great humour. The main protagonist being a member of the cloth, influenced by a cheap crime story confiscated from a young lad of his flock is not something modern audiences expect. The sight of the great Gordon Harker being introduced as 'The Bishop of Mombasa' and his entrance with his two side kicks (one with an eye patch) is better than anything I can think of at the moment. Do yourself a favour.
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