The Battle of the Sexes
Dir: Charles Crichton
1959
***
1959's The Battle of the Sexes directed by comedy legend Charles Crichton is a reworking of James Thurber's short story The Catbird Seat. It is a story of advantage, envy and having the upper hand. Typically of it's day, the story (but more so the title) was sexed up a bit to appeal more given the current political climate regarding Women's lib. It's really not much of a Battle between the Sexes, rather a battle between Capitalism and tradition. Peter Sellers leads an old fashioned workforce against his new employer (the son of his recently deceased employer - played brilliantly by Robert Morley) and his new efficiency expert, a zealous American Business Women (a rather over the top Constance Cummings) with revolutionary ideas for modernising the old fashioned company. The laughs are subtle but good, the script is clever and well delivered. It's a gentle comedy that only gets a little too silly towards the end. You can't beat a good Charles Crichton film or a good Peter Sellers film and this film is both.
The Titfield Thunderbolt
Dir: Charles Crichton
1953
****
There is nothing quite like a good Ealing comedy and The Titfield Thunderbolt is one of the best of the later ones released. Yet again, the humour and social commentary is sublime. The story is quite simple, uplifting and ridiculous but also quite ingenious. It's got plenty of that spirit of '45 that Great Britain has forgotten and is riddled with much loved characters who are sadly long gone. The cast is a sturdy mix of comedy legends, hard to say who steals the show but if I had to choice it would be Stanley Holloway's capitalist dandy, on hand and half cut. A great example of a short but golden age of great British comedy.
The Lavender Hill Mob
Dir: Charles Crichton
1951
*****
The Lavender Hill Mob is an Ealing classic. Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sidney James and Alfie Bass are the perfect quartet in this very well written and hugely lovable crime caper. The script is very clever and the dialogue is sharp and brilliantly delivered. It is one of the few exceptions that really has stood the test of time. I just really wish it didn't end the way it does!
Hue and Cry
Dir: Charles Crichton
1947
****
Hue & Cry is much like the adventure books for boys that were popular at the time, with a part Enid Blyton and part comic book (obviously) post war theme. I have many older relatives who say that post war London was great fun and many adventures were had in old bombed out building. This film captures that very well but also appeals to the older viewer thanks to Alastair Sim's character/performance. It's an Ealing comedy but apart from Sim's performance, it's pretty serious and is a rather compelling thriller/mystery/espionage film. Directed by the often overlooked and under-appreciated Charles Crichton whose TV and film work I can't recommend enough.
