True as a Turtle

John Greyson wants to spend the honeymoon on Cecil Parker's boat, 'The Turtle'. His fiancee, landlubber June Thorburn reluctantly agrees. The usual sorts of misadventures occur.

This is not in anyway an indictment of this movie. It is, in fact, a superior example of the landlubber-at-sea comedy-drama. I attribute this to the direction of Wendy Toye, one of the few woman directors working at the time. Although everyone has plenty to do, this movie offers us the viewpoints of the women confronting their men's seafaring hobby: Miss Thorburn, Elvi Hale as the guest of the boat's second mate, Keith Michell, and Avice Landone as Parker's long-suffering wife. As the two younger women are instructed in sea craft, we learn the ins and outs of small boats, and their reactions to the bumptious behavior of weekend sailors become ours. We even feel sympathy for Parker, a specialist in unlikeable, comic stuffed shirts, because his wife loves him.

Miss Toye entered show business as a child, and was choreographing ballets by the age of nine. Her movie career began in 1931 as dancer. Within five years, she was choreographing for the movies, and she began directing movies in 1952. She was in charge of half a dozen movies, then continued to direct on television through 1982. She was awarded a CBE in 1992, and died in 2010, aged 92.

First off - the colour was definitely faded and strange. I can see why someone thought it was colorized. But this didn't detract.

Seeing that it was an English comedy from this era about sailing, I anticipated "Carry-On type" cliches and stereotypes but was pleasantly surprised. A tiny bit of mystery, a bit of romance and a lot of authentic slogging around deck ...a pretty true picture of the "glamour of life on a sailing yacht". Lovely touches like the captain's wife and her tea no matter how dire the situation. A fun trip.

"True as a Turtle" provides an enjoyable look back at sailing and society in post-war England. The boats are beautiful, the sailing lore fascinating, and the people delightful. This is a little know treat--especially for those who sail.

This film was directed by Wendy Toye who was one of the few women directors of the era.Featuring Rank contract actors JohnGregson and June Thorburn,with reliable support from Cecil Parker and Avice Langdon.Some good colour photography.This film is available through a new DVD release.Pleasant way to spend 90 minutes

A couple on their honeymoon (John Gregson and June Thorburn) join a couple of friends for a cross channel yachting holiday, much to the bride's disappointment. They also find themselves caught up with smugglers among other adventures.

Light romantic comedy from the Rank Organisation variety that ends up being pretty undemanding entertainment and will really only appeal to yachting types in this very English film.