Quiet Weekend

The occasional attractive outdoor scenes simply throw into even sharper relief just how tinny and studio-bound the rest of this trivial sequel to 'Quiet Wedding' is as the cast just stand around and talk. And talk. And Talk.

Two unexpected bits of casting are worth remarking upon though. Frank Cellier takes a break from representing cold-hearted capitalism to play a rather jolly and romantic old cove for once. While it also preserves for posterity in her stage role the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young Barbara White who after only a handful of other film roles married Keiron Moore (who murdered her in 'Mine Own Executioner') and was lost to films forever.

"Quiet Weekend" is a wonderful, warm and funny film set in the English countryside in 1946. This British comedy has none of the prominent actors who would be known outside of the UK at the time - especially across the pond in the Americas. Most of the cast had short film careers, so few were likely to be known even in the UK then. In a way, that makes this film all the more notable, because to a person the roles played here are very good.

The comedy here isn't from clever or funny dialog, although the script has an occasional barb or witticism. Mostly, it's just in the relationships of this family and friends. One particular caper involves the lord of the house, Arthur Royd, the local justice of the peace, friend Adrian Barrasford, the Royd's caretaker, Sam Pecker, and a niece, Miranda Bute. They set out at night to poach a salmon from a neighbor's stream. That's quite funny by itself. A community playhouse evening is also worth a couple of laughs. And, a local jailhouse with a court scene is very good and funny.

This is a delightful and feel-good film that those who like old movies should enjoy. Here are a couple favorite lines.

Rowena Hyde, after kissing with Denys Royd, "That was very pleasant." Denys, "Pleasant? It was wonderful!"

Adrian Barrasford, the local justice of the peace, says to Arthur Royd after their caper the night before, "No, I warn you. I shall fine us very heavily."

Denys (Derek Farr) brings his girlfriend Rowena (Helen Shingler) to stay with him and his family at their country house. His cousin Miranda (Barbara White) does not approve. Meanwhile, friend and local magistrate Adrian (Frank Cellier) is convinced to take part in a spot of salmon poaching....

This is a British film that has a certain quaintness and charm if you like that sort of thing. It's dialogue driven and quite amusing in parts, especially when Rowena and Miranda are sparring with each other. Unfortunately, the dialogue is delivered in that awful upper-class British accent, eg, "happening" becomes "heppening", and "actually" becomes "ectually". No-one normal speaks like that. Another irritation is the constant barking of orders and dishing out of instructions by Mildred (Marjorie Fielding). God that woman is annoying! There are a few lightweight comedic episodes, eg, the concert at the local village hall and the salmon-poaching incident but the main thing that sticks with me is the love between Miranda and Denys. They are cousins. Derek Farr is a complete non-entity as a leading man and the love theme that is explored in this film is just wrong!

For anyone born in the UK before about 1935 (as I was) this movie will bring back memories of austerity, such as very few cars and very little food and primitive plumbing. We all had to make do with what we had; the top rate of income tax was around 95%. Nevertheless the middle classes had those delicious cut-glass English accents; "thanks" was pronounced "thenks". The lower classes such as the old poacher, spoke their lines in broad accents and were usually considered to be comic characters.

That has all changed now. This movie is good entertainment but also of value to the social historians. It is the way the British coped with the rigors of victory after WW II, i.e. paying off the huge loans owed to the USA while trying to become a socialist society.

A real old fashioned gem.

Obviously low budget but well compensated with good crisp direction and characterisation.

Nothing nasty - even the upper class snob was almost likeable.

A slice of English middle class probably gone forever.