Les belles de Saint-Trinian

Alistair Simms is a wonder in this. He makes such a good headmistress. The role given here for George Cole was made for him. Hence, the casting job on this film was perfect. I think it was one of those rare occasions where everything clicked. the story line was good, the comic dialogue a scream and the older prefect girls a delight!! Each character you are endeared to, even the villains. Why can't we make films like this any more. Basically, this is a very English comedy with good movement and fluidity.

the first and probably the best of the three original St. Trinian's films. What with Alastir Sim and Joyce Grenfell, this film will definitely make you laugh. however, I personally think what makes the film what it is is Flash Harry, the local cockney spiv played expertly well by George Cole. The interaction between Cole, Sim and Grenfell is magic. Flash Harry is a fantastic character and can't but make you laugh. A classic, classic film.

This comic classic of English school girl antics is and was one of the great art house classics. Then the art house disappeared with the arrival of videos. And so did the audience for this movie. The loss is not to the art houses or to this great film. The loss is to those who will never have a real opportunity to view this memorable laugh filled cinematic masterpiece. But I am preaching to the converted aren't I. Who else would search for this flick?

The first of five St Trinian's films (although the last is usually discounted) was based around artist Ronald Searle's schoolgirl characters, and features the wonderful Alastair Sim in drag as Millicent Fritton, headmistress, as well as her own brother. Much of the humour is dated, yet curiously touching and outrageous in today's PC world - the girls drink, gamble, smoke and are later sold off to rich Arabs, yet always remain in charge, defeating bureaucrats, police, judges and other establishment figures as they maraud across England. Perhaps because the films have been so regularly seen on TV, St Trinians still inspires fancy dress parties and club nights. The films have recurring characters that include PC Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell) and Flash Harry (George Cole). The precursor to the entire series is a charming film called 'The Happiest Days Of Your Life' (1950).

The Belles Of St Trinian's (1954) -

While I would have always said that the earlier St Trinian's films were the better ones, having only recently watched the reboot from 2007, I think that the first ever cinematic outing for the girls just lacked something that the newer one had (The sequel (2009) wasn't much good though) I can only assume that the following 'Blue Murder At' (1957) and 'Pure Hell Of' (1960) films were the ones that resonated with me as a younger viewer during school holidays. Those and 'The Great Train Robbery' (1966) of course, which I know was brilliant as it's the one I have seen most often.

This one was a bit of a simple story and the girls didn't seem to be as united as they later became, so it was difficult to know whose side to be on?

With the Rupert Everett ones, the girls are all working together to keep the school running, in order to continue their shenanigans unhampered, but this film had them all broken in to factions against the headmistress and each other, in a selfish way, which didn't show them at their best.

Alistair Sim was of course superb in the dual role of Miss Fritton and her Brother Clarence and the majority of the others did a good job too. Not to forget dear old George Cole, who will eternally be remembered as Flash Harry and how could he not be with that portrayal as good as it is.

There's no denying that it's still great fun to watch and lead the way for the others that followed admirably, as well as probably a number of other films that must surely have used this as a reference to realise genius comedy, full of innuendo for years after, but it's not my favourite of the collection.

577.22/1000.