Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly

Wow, what can I say. This film was made from an old English play and, to say the least, what kind of sick mind could write something like this? I LOVE IT!!! A twisted family without a father figure lives secluded in an extremely large lot with a mansion to live in. It never tells how they make money or buy groceries, but those are insignificant. There's Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly who all live a happy (crazy) life. Luring homeless men to the mansion to be playmates for the children and if they step-out-of-line, WHACK, they are sent on a "train to the angels." The funniest thing about this movie, I think, is the Siamese Anthem.

Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly is very much a product of the swinging '60s/early '70s, with director Freddie Francis taking a somewhat avant garde approach to his twisted tale of a demented family that abducts men to be their new 'friends'. Imagine Jack Hill's Spider Baby(1968) crossed with cult TV show The Prisoner (1967) and you'll be close to understanding the perversity and strangeness that this bizarre little film has to offer.

Vanessa Howard plays sexy teenager Girly, who lives in a sprawling mansion (actually Oakley Court, seen in many a Hammer horror) with her brother Sonny (Howard Trevor), their mother Mumsy (Ursula Howells), and their nanny, aptly called Nanny (Pat Heywood). Mumsy and Nanny treat Girly and Sonny as though they are still children, reading them bedtime stories, playing kindergarten games, and laying down strict rules. Girly and Sonny act the part, dressing in school clothes and talking like little kids. Every now and then, the brother and sister visit the park to befriend a stranger and bring him back home to participate in their role-playing games. Those who refuse or try to escape are put on trial and 'sent to the angels'.

Their latest 'friend' is Soldier (Robert Swann), who believes himself responsible for the death of his girlfriend. As the family go about their crazy ways, Soldier gradually turns his captors against each other, seducing the women, starting with coquettish Girly, and working his way through Mumsy and Nanny, causing feelings of jealousy. This angers Sonny, who decides that it is time for Soldier to be put on the train to heaven.

With hints of incest, bursts of violence, and plenty of offbeat action (the hunt of friend No.2 is very much like The Prisoner in style), Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly would no doubt have quite the cult following had it not been so difficult to find for many years. Thankfully, the film is now available on DVD and for streaming on Amazon, meaning that a wider audience is able to appreciate its strange ambience, Vanessa Howard's memorable performance (tempting and terrifying at the same time), and the general ghoulishness (highlights including the bubbling pot on the stove, and an axe-wielding Sonny peering through a splintered door, surely inspiration for the "Here's Johnny!" moment in The Shining).

7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.

If you like your comedy with a decidedly quirky bent, then this is a film for you.

Vanessa Howard is splendid as Girly, an obvious twenty-something that dresses and acts like a twelve year old schoolgirl.

She lives with her brother, and mother, and nanny, and they are all certifiably bat-shite crazy.

They two "children" lure homeless and hippies to the old crumbling mansion where they play "games." They must unquestionably participate or they are "sent to the angels," if you get my drift.

The new friend (Michael Bryant) plots to turn the four of them against each other until he can find a way to escape.

Director Freddie Francis won two Oscars for cinematography (Glory, Sons and Lovers) after directing many horror movies.

about three years ago, my friend gave me a VHS which contained three films. One of them being "GIRLY". I was board one day so I threw it in My VCR, I watched the first two movies which were not too bad, but when girly came on I was really hooked. I actually rewound the picture and watched it a second time. I still remember soldier in the beginning of the movie. He is my favorite character. near the start of the picture, it's hilarious when girly gives him the flask and he takes it without question. Another one of my favorite parts of the movie is when girly sings the siamese national anthem. Anyway, Girly definitely is one of the best movies ever made. I would definitely rate it 10/10.

Understated British psychodrama with no effects to speak of, just lots of creepy dialogue, tension and madness - not even any nudity and only implied sex, very little at that. Twisted little tale of a mad little "family" that will engross, humour, disgust and terrify you. Mmmm .... yummy.