The Chiltern Hundreds

Another long forgotten film rediscovered on talking pictures channel that probably should have been left forgotten,way too long plotting made little sense.

Although I was a child actor from the age of 3 this was my first film, I think I was either 7 or 8 at the time, YET I have only seen bits of it. I do remember though that it came from an era of British Film making that should never be lost, we still make good films but there is to much American influence. If anyone see's this and knows where I can get a copy PLEASE CONTACT ME.The film company came to St. Osyeth near Clacton in Essex and used the priory for a lot of internal and external shots, a lot of the villagers were also used in the crowd scenes. The film comes from that gentle era of British film making now sadly lost when acting and story lines relied on ability and not computers to produce pleasing,relaxing and enjoyable entertainment with out gallons of blood or bare flesh. I'm far from a prude or from being stuffy but I do think ones own mind should be allowed to do the exploration.

There are few films that are based on British politics.Of those that were made few were comedies,and those are are not particularly successful.Regretfully this is the case with this film.One of the main problems is that this is very much a filmed stage play..The fact that is entertaining is very much due to the experienced members of the cast.A.E.Matthews was a much loved somewhat eccentric actor.He spent much of the last year of his life,in his 90th year sitting in a chair outside his home to prevent the council putting up a lampshade.Cecil Parker had already made dozens of films before the war.He was a stalwart comedy performer.David Tomlinson would make his name in Mary Poppins.Helen Backlin,has a likeness to Lauren Bacall.However there seems to be very little information about her.Joyce Carey was one of Noel Cowards favourite actresses..Lana Morris was a very reliable actress of the 1950s..Perhaps political comedy was better done by the television.

Tony Pym comes back from the army to run for the town election, as the local member has been in his family for generations. Naturally. he's the first NOT to win! So the family, with the help of his on again/off again fiancee, set about rectifying this.

Watch out for the doddery old Earl, he's the most hilarious part of the movie, stuck in his own little world, not letting anyone answer the phone because the shadow of them crossing the window might disturb the rabbit he wants to shoot...and also for the young girl playing Tony's fiancee - a lovely young Lauren Bacall look-alike!

To avoid having to stay on duty in his army camp in Brussels, David Tomlinson pretends he's running for Parliament so he can get home to see his fiancée. His commander though ensures that he does do as he says.

Pleasant enough piece of British whimsy revolving around various eccentric characters living at the local mansion, including Cecil Parker as the butler and AE Matthews as the Lord of the manor. The film is worth seeing for Matthews alone who steals the film completely, doing a wonderfully funny turn as the rabbit shooting obsessed upper class aristocrat - he's great in every scene he's in. So much so though, that when he's not on the screen, the comedy wanes and the film gets a little stale.