Producers: H.G. Inglis and J. Lee-Thompson. An Associated British picture, made at the Associated British Elstree Studios, England. Copyright 1956 by Associated British Pictures Corp. No trace of any U.S. release. U.K. release through Associated British-Pathé: 22 April 1957. Australian release through Warner Bros Pictures: 20 November 1958. 9,413 feet. 104 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Susie Dean is a young, talented singer and dancer, who is determined to become a great star, but the touring company in which she works, "The Dinky Doos", far from setting the world alight, is on the point of closing down. Then three strangers enter Susie's life and convince her to try again. The new company, christened "The Good Companions", sets to work to put together a new show.
COMMENT: As the 1933 "Good Companions" is one of my favorite films, I know that my readers will not expect me to like, let alone endorse this version. The story line is exactly the same — omitting of course many of the brightest touches and embellishments, whilst at the same time substituting the original's lively songs by parades of musical rubbish so unmemorable that even the film's producers made absolute no attempts to market them with disc jockeys.
As for the players in this tedious "revival", let me quote the Monthly Film Bulletin: "Janette Scott, though conceivably a Dinky Doo, hardly convinces as a potential West End star." Hardly is exactly right! Aside from the principals, I will admit that some of the support artists do turn in some engaging portrayals: Bobby Howes, Rachel Roberts, Mona Washbourne, Thora Hird, Anthony Newley. But are they worth sitting through the rest of "The Good Companions"?
SYNOPSIS: Susie Dean is a young, talented singer and dancer, who is determined to become a great star, but the touring company in which she works, "The Dinky Doos", far from setting the world alight, is on the point of closing down. Then three strangers enter Susie's life and convince her to try again. The new company, christened "The Good Companions", sets to work to put together a new show.
COMMENT: As the 1933 "Good Companions" is one of my favorite films, I know that my readers will not expect me to like, let alone endorse this version. The story line is exactly the same — omitting of course many of the brightest touches and embellishments, whilst at the same time substituting the original's lively songs by parades of musical rubbish so unmemorable that even the film's producers made absolute no attempts to market them with disc jockeys.
As for the players in this tedious "revival", let me quote the Monthly Film Bulletin: "Janette Scott, though conceivably a Dinky Doo, hardly convinces as a potential West End star." Hardly is exactly right! Aside from the principals, I will admit that some of the support artists do turn in some engaging portrayals: Bobby Howes, Rachel Roberts, Mona Washbourne, Thora Hird, Anthony Newley. But are they worth sitting through the rest of "The Good Companions"?