Reviews

Terrific performances from a Stella cast. Anthony Quayle plays the ex-army padre, now the new vicar in a judgemental English own, with quiet authority. The premise of Serious Charge is the implied suspicion that this likeable unmarried vicar has "interfered" with a young man and has little chance of convincing the parishioners that it is "a put up job". Wonderful acting by Irene Brown in the part of the Vicar's mother and by Sarah Churchill playing the lovelorn would-be Vicar's wife. This film introduced the rising pop star, Cliff Richard, to the big screen. His is only a minor role, the younger brother to a memorable performance by the actor Andrew Ray (seen in the film "The Mudlark"). All in all this film is a must see for good, in telligent British actors takng on a very serious subject.

This is the first time that I have watched this obscure 1957 film. Most of the National Service conscripts appear far too old for the 18+ years they would have been, I know because I was a National Service sapper from 1954 to 1956. However, the uniforms are correct. Anna Neagle as producer has done a poor job of this Liverpool-based drama. There are lots of well-known British actors that must have been short of work at the time to accept roles in this film. The continuity is weak. Frankie Vaughan's acting is awful. I wouldn't want to watch it again, despite a nice view of the 1957 Ford Consul and the beautiful, but tragic, Carole Lesley.

A delightful little film that realistically portrays life as it really was for us London evacuees. I was 4 years old when war was declared and between then and February 1945, evacuated 5 times. On the 3rd evacuation, we travelled by bus from Kilburn to the main line station, then by train to Harringworth. There, just like the boys in the film, we were marched crocodile style along the village high street and my brother and I were the last evacuees to be billeted (with Mr and Mrs Lock). The film is absolutely true to the events that we Londoner's experienced .. country life, farms, a single-room village school and the Home Guard. A super film.

Danny Kaye in one of his funniest films. I saw this first in 1948 along with Wonder Man. The Technicolor is beautiful. The comedy infectious. The interplay between the characters superb. Vera-Ellen dances energetically while the lovely Virginia Mayo never disappoints. I am reminded of so many other great American musicals where colour, dance, great songs all combined to a visual masterpiece. This film is an uncomplicated delight. And not a vulgar word said Would that more films were made like this. It never dates. Enjoy!