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.

Another effortlessly charming ensemble British comedy about a deliciously erudite group of middle-class city slickers whose blissfully bucolic sojourn in their politely ramshackle country abode very soon impolitely turns into a splendidly silly series of splendiferous larks, pratfalls, misadventures, and wonderfully barbed badinage! 'Quiet Weekend' is thankfully never twee, wholesomely funny, undeniably edifying fare, being divinely nostalgic fun, no less crisply satisfying than a freshly cut cucumber sandwich, frequently frothier than a barrel of ginger beer, feisty familial intrigues, burgeoning love affairs, petty jealousies, rain-drenched picnics, and pulse-pounding bouts of midnight Salmon poaching, 'Quiet Weekend' is a far from sedate affair, an enormously good-natured, decidedly classy comedy that is bound to revivify one's flagging spirits like the bracing mustard-infused baths so blithely prescribed by the likeable Royd family's preternaturally capable matriarch Mildred Royd (Marjorie Fielding).

The charm in this film lies in its simplicity. Based on a stage play, it shows a middle class family staying at their weekend cottage, leading the easy type of life that has sadly long since disappeared. The highlights of this film are the dreadful concert and the poaching expedition.

"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."

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.