Las pícaras doncellas

Ralph Thomas and Betty Box made routine films like this in between making their highly successful Doctor films.Many of the actors who starred in that series appear here.Basically this film contains a series of sketches showing a newly weds series of disasters with hire help till they find Mylene Demyngot.This then as a dramatic twist to allow a happy ending for the couple.Some good performances enliven what is by any standards a routine fairly unfunny script.Michael Craig gives his standard performance.He was the last actor under contract to the Rank Organisation.

Rank/Box/St John/Thomas were no doubt talented producers of this type of light comedy in the 50's and early 60's, but sadly most of them were very by-the-numbers efforts without much pizzaz or oomph. Here we have a bevy of their artistes including JR Justice, Micheal Craig, Sid James and Joan Sims playing their stock characters. It's all OK but we've seen it a thousand times before and the episodic style does jar a little from time to time. All in all it may pass an hour or two quite pleasantly, but it's nothing to write home about. A very average 5 from me.

This is not by any means a very good film, but it is quite a good film. What almost ruined it for me was the class differences, and how basically the well-off couple played blandly by Michael Craig and Anne Heywood seem to think it is their 'due' to having servants to fulfill their basic needs. And of course the servants have to be either thieves, alcoholics or plain stupid. Downstairs quite literally is their home in every sense of the word. This fortunately was blown more or less out of the water in 1960 when the case for the prosecution depended on the premise of ' would you want your wife or servants to read this book? ' The book being the unexpurgated version of ' Lady Chatterley's Lover'. But in this film the D. H. Lawrence book even expurgated is nowhere in sight. The only time any sense of reality and a class threatening sexuality appears is when Mylene Demongeot enters the house, and sexual hypocrisy is totally thrown out of the window. All the well-off husbands with servants fall for her, take her out and then blame their wives for not understanding them. Demongeot is intelligent as well as being a fine actor, and gently demolishes them by reminding them of their double standards. It is only when Michael Craig has sex and maybe love on his mind as well that the film goes into some sort of genuine emotion and disquiet. No spoilers as what happens but all I can say is it holds up a harsh light on the morality, so called, of the time. After this French woman (although Demongeot is ridiculously supposed to be Swedish) takes over life is not quite the same, although to me a false ending calms England's murky sexual desires, and I did not believe in it. Claudia Cardinale delightfully plays the first sexual intruder and Demongeot continues where Cardinale left off, but Demongeot is more incisive. Daniel Massey and James Robertson Justice are also very good in their roles, but then there was an edge to their acting that the UK never properly explored.

I see we have here quite a collection of the "Carry On" gang so expect a lot of hilarious mayhem. Newlyweds Richard (Michael Craig) and Kate (Anne Heywood) are advised by her father (James Robertson Justice) to hire a servant and that's when the troubles begin. From tipster lady to a genteel duo of bank robbers, and others, they encounter some rather eccentric hired help.

Hiring Ingrid (Mylene Demongeot) is their next try at domestic help but she's far too pretty and smart to settle into that role for long. I must admit that when I first saw her she reminded me so much of another lovely young actress, right down to the accent, named Christine Carere, who stars in "A Certain Smile" (1958).

There are lots of funny scenes that keep you laughing, yet later on a mood of thoughtful sadness grips you as hearts are laid bare and broken. What can be sadder than unrequited love but it's a part of life's experiences that help us grow into maturity.

A fun film with a realistic touch as we view the frailties of human nature.

By the late 1950's British cinema was producing some colourful, sophisticated entertainment and this charming offering is amongst the best of them. The first thing that comes to mind for me is, what a cast ! Michael Craig has always been a favourite of mine and in this film, he has a change of pace in a comedy, delivering a smooth and pleasing performance as well as looking especially handsome.

Anne Heywood is equally well cast and looks ravishingly beautiful, complementing Michael perfectly. The supporting cast make up a real who's who of stalwart British actors with Joan Hickson and Joan Sims proving the real stand-outs. James Robertson Justice is a real delight too and plays true to form. The episodic mood of the film takes a subtle turn with the entry of Mylene Demongeot as the Swedish maid and nanny, looking pretty and slightly provocative. Although new to films, she does well, especially in the poignant moments. I'm surprised this gem is not more fondly remembered ; it certainly takes pride of place amongst my large British collection.