Always a Bride

Film does not get big reviews in most film books, but that doesn't mean it's not a good movie. The movie is a fun romantic comedy. Taxman (Morgan) goes on holidays only to fall into the middle of a bunch of conmen (and woman), who he falls in love with. Cast, camera and director all became workers for ITC television shows of the 50's. Should you see the movie for sale- buy it! If it shows up on the late-show, tape it!

"Always A Bride" is one of those little-known but delightful comedies from what I have always thought of as the Golden Age of British Comedy (late 40s into the 60s). The entire cast is ingratiating, with that wonderful British character actor Ronald Squire a standout. Terence Morgan, an actor I am not always fond of, has never been more likeable, and Peggy Cummins does her usual efficient job in the role of leading lady. The humour tends towards the subtle and wry rather than the broad, and co-scripter Peter Jones can be seen briefly making the best of a supposed foreign lingo in an early scene. Also appearing briefly as a cab driver is Sebastian Cabot.

This is a hidden gem, as someone else commented, and deserves watching. It's a spry comedy about a father and daughter (RONALD SQUIRE and PEGGY CUMMINS) who bilk hotel people out of money with a simple swindle that works every time--with Squire posing as the husband who deserts his wife.

Along comes an honest man (TERENCE MORGAN) who knows nothing about Cummins' background before he falls in love with her. Even when she tells him she's not really the girl he should be chasing, he won't be dissuaded. The plot goes on to include an overly amorous hotel manager, a double cross that's repeated several times and finally, a double double cross that one suspects is coming all along involving a wealthy man who keeps a closet full of currency.

It's highly amusing without resorting to the sort of over-the-top British humor that was more fashionable during the '60s. Here the approach is more subtle and manages to be just as entertaining, due to some charming performances from the cast.

Summing up: Nice to see Cummins having a good time in a comedy and looking so beautiful. Terence Morgan does equally well as the light comedy romantic lead. RONALD SQUIRE is amusing in a role vastly different from the kind he usually played in films like MY COUSIN RACHEL, where he assumed a more serious and sober side of his nature.

just thought i would add a piece of film trivia which may or may not be of interest to film buffs!. One of the stars of this film , James Hayter played a character with several children, as he happened to have 5 of his own, they were given tiny parts in one scene where "cash" Dutton is handing out ridiculously large sums of pocket money to the kids. at the end of this scene his character says " don't forget little Herbert" and passes a baby to his wife. as the youngest child at that time and only 5 months old i got my first and only chance at the limelight! i was a source of great satisfaction to my father that i earned 3 guineas! Jonathan Hayter (one of eventually eight Hayter children)

An escapist fantasy set in a plush hotel in the South of France which does for postwar austerity Britain what 'Only When I Larf' did for the swinging sixties fifteen years later, co.scripted by actor Peter Jones (who has a brief bit as a funny foreigner in a fez).

The agreeable cast milling about a plush hotel in Monte Carlo is headed by a charmingly glossy Peggy Cummins, Terence Morgan is more animated than usual as a dashing treasury agent and Ronald Squire is his usual old reprobate with a twinkle in his eye.