La chambre de Madame

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.

I just saw the movie and was captivated by that young french actress Mylene Demongeot. She played an attractive, yet confused girl.

With a number of the Carry on gang there I thought the movie would be an entire comedy. After the old couple who were hired as baby sitters, it turned into more of a drama, which was unexpected.

The wife's role was not really focused upon and it was really the husband trying to deal with his attraction to the new nanny, like all the rest of the male cast. You got the feeling if another time and another place, who she would have found in the end.

Mylene's character 'Ingrid' was the most interesting. THe way she drifted into the lives of the men around her and even the husbands. I think at the end she didn't know what she wanted and the solution was to end the adventure.

Very entertaining and interesting the way the plot developed to the surprise finish.

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.

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.

When a young couple marry, the father of the bride hires a maid to look after them. Proving completely unsuitable, the couple embark on a series of hilarious attempts to find a replacement.

A curious film this, rather subversive (for 1959), episodic in feel and strangely (but effectively) mixing farce with poignancy. The leads are attractive, but the show is repeatedly stolen by a brilliant supporting cast. From Hickson's hysterically funny turn as the inebriated, dog-owning housekeeper Rosemary (her drunken ascending of the stairs is a delight) to Demongeot's joyously natural performance as Ingrid, the entire production is hugely entertaining and barking mad!