The Franchise Affair

The film sticks closely to the book, which is a plus. It was made soon after the war, and some of the events recall what people had been through - being demonised and having mobs graffiti your premises and throw rocks through your window, and worse.

The acting is fine, especially from old Mrs Sharp. The makers avoided the temptation to have the other characters comment on her saltiness - she just comes out with her rather acid quips. She is funny, and so is Michael Deniston as Robert Blair, the solicitor.

I agree with the commenter who regretted the static nature of the filming - yes, it is stagey. Characters don't move much, and there are few close-ups or reaction shots.

The working-class characters are more prominent in the book, but they are well-played by such as Kenneth More and Patrick Troughton.

40s films gained by the glamour and style of women's clothes and hairdos. What went so wrong in the 50s!?!? Betty Kane is supposed to look frumpy in her school clothes, but poor Dulcie Gray is saddled with middle-aged clothes and a hair-don't.