Where There's a Will

When the farm owner gets blown up without a will, his lower-class London relatives show up for their share of the loot. Most of them want to sell out for some quick money, but Leslie Dwyer wants to turn farmer.

My mother was fond of Delderfield's novels, judging by their presence in her bedroom. I found this movie version harsh on the rather stereotyped Cockneys, except for Leslie Dwyer, who longs to get away from working in a Turkish bath and become a farmer, and niece Ann Hanslip, who wants to get away from her horror of a mother and dull city routine. Edward Woodward is competent but unrecognizable as the juvenile lead in his first screen appearance.

I found after a brisk opening -- I thought I was looking at a Monty Python skit when it opens with the old man getting blown up by a land mine. It's certainly a way of getting a movie off with a bang --t hat it sagged a bit in the middle, with Dwyer's horrid relations trying to play both ends against the middle, while Dwyer tries to figure out how to honorably keep the farm. But the pace picks up again to result in the foreordained happy ending.

This Britsih B film from the 50s has a fantastic cast.Firstly there is Kathleen Harrison.She always plays the same part,a soft hearted put upon and often self sacrificing woman.Then Edward Woodward in his film debut.There are 3 actors who would become famous in years to come on TV.Leslie Dwyer(Hi De Hi),Dandy Nichols(the silly moo in Till Death Us Do Part)and Geoorge Cole ,here in his "Flash Harry" guise but of course most famous for Arthur Daly.In the supporting cast there is Sam Kydd and Bill Shine.The film itself is one of those films where the plot surrounds a missing will.It is eventually found in the most unlikely place you could think of.So whilst the film is rather unoriginal much pleasure is gained by watching all these familiar faces at work.

Storyline: Cockney extended family decamp to the countryside, after inheriting ramshackle farm in Devon to try their hand at farming. Leslie Dwyer, stalwart character actor of British films, George Cole, with permanent fag in the mouth, plays a 'spiv' - a sort of Flash Harry, a role he reprised in several later films and the irrepressible Kathleen Harrison of 'Meet the Huggetts' fame are all a joy to watch. Leslie Dwyer, who plays middle aged Alfie Brewer, enthuses about taking up farming as a way of life, as he can't wait to see the back of London and 'Turkish baths' where he was gainfully employed, but the rest of the 'family' are distinctively underwhelmed with 'working on the soil,' and would rather sell the place. However, Dwyer finds an ally in his dreams of running a farm by striking up a very friendly relationship with the deceased farmer's housekeeper, played by the delightful Kathleen Harrison, a spirited and canny woman, who encourages him to pursue his rural dreams with her. There's only one 'fly in the ointment' which is the housekeeper sees herself as being a lot more than a housekeeper/companion to Dwyer! My problem with the film is there are too many stereotypical characters and a storyline overburdened with too much dialogue about the interminable problems of the mortgage, which after a while became a total bore! On hindsight, this light hearted comedy would have been better and more interesting as a TV series of six episodes as a way of developing the writer's (R. F. Delderfield) characters. Nevertheless, the film is a pleasure to watch as it features so many talented character actors, who went on to appear in countless films over the decades.

A wealth of familiar faces comprise the talent in this better than average British B movie comedy. Many of whom went on to later (and wider) TV stardom. The plot is standard comedy bordering on grace fate, surrounding a Will and the usual machinations around money and morals ensues. The wonderful (and sadly neglected) Kathleen Harrison brings a warm heart to the centre of it, and likewise Leslie Dwyer brings a degree of charm that makes us root for these two unlikely romantic suitors amidst the skullduggery. Grey power at the box office isn't new! The film crackles along at a great pace. The financial ramifications of various legal positions are hard to follow, but it doesn't matter to the enjoyment of the piece. Warm chuckles all round.

Adapted by R.F.Delderfield from his own stage farce and directed without much enthusiasm by Vernon Sewell. Despite quite a few shots of a wintry-looking Devon it still manages to feel studio-bound.

Full of vaguely naughty references to things like illegitimacy, chamber pots and the 'News of the World'. Interest is provided amidst a cast of veterans by two newcomers in their twenties: Edward Woodward (leaner and with a a higher hairline than he had twenty years later) repeating his stage role, and a caustic young Thelma Ruby, now at 95 the final surviving member of the cast.