As Long as They're Happy
As Long as They're Happy is a 1955 British musical comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Jack Buchanan, Susan Stephen and Diana Dors.[1] It is based on the 1953 play of the same name by Vernon Sylvaine. It was shot in Eastmancolor at Pinewood Studios near London with sets designed by the art director Michael Stringer.
| As Long as They're Happy | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | J. Lee Thompson |
| Written by | Alan Melville |
| Based on | As Long as They're Happy by Vernon Sylvaine |
| Produced by | Raymond Stross |
| Starring | Jack Buchanan Janette Scott Jeannie Carson Diana Dors |
| Cinematography | Gilbert Taylor |
| Edited by | John D. Guthridge |
| Music by | Stanley Black |
Production company | Group Film Productions |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 91 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot Edit
The film is about a US singer named Bobby Denver, who is known as the "Crying Crooner" (a la Johnnie Ray), who stays with a stockbroker's family by mistake when he comes to England. The stockbroker, played by Jack Buchanan, has three very pretty daughters with the youngest Gwen (played by Janette Scott) madly in love with him so much she wants to marry him. Eventually, the stodgy stockbroker deals with his wife and daughter as well as his maid Linda (played by Joan Sims, who keeps fainting every time Bobby sings) being so infatuated.[2]
Cast Edit
- Jack Buchanan as John Bentley
- Janette Scott as Gwen Bentley
- Jeannie Carson as Pat Bentley
- Brenda De Banzie as Stella Bentley
- Susan Stephen as Corinne Bentley
- Jerry Wayne as Bobby Denver
- Diana Dors as Pearl Delaney
- Hugh McDermott as Barnaby Brady
- David Hurst as Dr. Hermann Schneider
- Athene Seyler as Mrs. Arbuthnot
- Joan Sims as Linda
- Nigel Green as Peter
- Dora Bryan as May
- Gilbert Harding as himself
- Joan Hickson as Barmaid
- Peter Illing as French Sergeant
- Edie Martin as Elderly fan
- Hattie Jacques as Party girl
- Leslie Phillips as Box office manager
- Ronnie Stevens as Box intruder
- Charles Hawtrey as Teddy boy
- Norman Wisdom as Norman (uncredited)
Production Edit
The film was based on the comedy play by the British writer Vernon Sylvaine which was first staged in 1953 starring Jack Buchanan. It ran at the Garrick Theatre in the West End for 370 performances until May 1954. In April 1954 it was announced that Buchanan would appear in the film version; it would be his first starring role in a movie in 14 years.[3] In August it was announced Jeanne Carson would co star.[4]
It was Diana Dors second film for J. Lee Thompson.[5] She was offered the lead but was unable to do it but agreed to play a guest part at £200 a day.[6]
Reception Edit
Variety said it would be "expected to register at home."[7]
External links Edit
- As Long as They're Happy at IMDb
References Edit
- ^ "As Long As They're Happy(1957)". Yahoo movies. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ^ "As Long as They're Happy". IMDb.
- ^ "THROUGH THE ARTS—-WITH JOHN HAMPEL". Barrier Daily Truth. Vol. XLVI, no. 14, 395. New South Wales, Australia. 5 April 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 28 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "World-wide Film and Theatre News". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. XV, no. 39. Sydney. 15 August 1954. p. 50. Retrieved 28 August 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (7 September 2020). "A Tale of Two Blondes: Diana Dors and Belinda Lee". Filmink.
- ^ Dors, Diana (1960). Swingin' Dors. World Distributors. p. 111.
- ^ Review of film at Variety