A Group 3 Production. New York opening at the Symphony (on a double bill with Make Me An Offer): 28 February 1956. U.S. release (through Associated Artists): February 1956. U.K. release (through British Lion): 11 April 1955. Australian release (through London Films/Universal): 11 August 1955. 6,694 feet. 74 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: This is the story of a female angel — a beautiful captivating blonde young angel to be sure — who descends from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to practice the gospel of love through word and deed.
Appropriately enough, she selects the area known as The Angel, Islington, for her goodwill tour, and it is to that not-too- endearing part of London where she is suddenly deposited from the Celestial Regions. Unfortunately, her flight from above was hurried to an extreme and she is forced to pawn her harp in order to raise money for her subsistence in the more material world she finds herself. As luck, or shall we say heavenly direction, would have it, she deposits the instrument in the very pawnshop her superiors had planned her work should commence.
Here, our damsel finds work a-plenty. Old Mr Webman, the owner of 'Uncle's', the pawnshop, becoming crotchety in his old age and only worrying about his priceless collection of music boxes, Len, his young assistant, who loves Jenny Lane and fears for his chances; there is Jenny herself, really in love with Len but not quite ready to admit it; and Mr Lane troubled by his wife's never-ending toil, while Len's widowed mother, an vitriolic friend, a hard-hearted bookmaker, two gentlemen crooks and some boon drinking companions ensure that Angel shall never be at a loss for good words and deeds.
COMMENT: A British "B" movie that earned plenty of money in Diane Cilento's home country, Australia. True, Miss Cilento is certainly a rather fetching angel, but the rest of the players (and characters) are more routine and make little impression. Dull direction doesn't help either.
Presumably the lovely Diane still has lots of fans in England, as the movie is or was available on a good quality (but by no means perfect) Simply Media DVD.
OTHER VIEWS: Diane Cilento has a definite personal success... perfectly charming... I enjoyed it. — Jympson Harman in The Evening News.
Innocent and appealing... Diane Cilento — a find if ever there was one. — John Gay in Empire News.
The week's most charming offering... pleasant and heartwarming. — Peter Burnup in News of the World.
Enchanting comedy... A film to strum your heart-strings. — Ross Shepherd in The People.
This is an endearing film. ...Diane Cilento is enchanting. — Harris Deans in Sunday Dispatch.
What a pleasant surprise... out-of-this-world charm... delightful. — Robert Ottaway in Sunday Graphic.
Full of wonderful character actors and good humour. — Bernard McElwaine in Sunday Pictorial.
SYNOPSIS: This is the story of a female angel — a beautiful captivating blonde young angel to be sure — who descends from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to practice the gospel of love through word and deed.
Appropriately enough, she selects the area known as The Angel, Islington, for her goodwill tour, and it is to that not-too- endearing part of London where she is suddenly deposited from the Celestial Regions. Unfortunately, her flight from above was hurried to an extreme and she is forced to pawn her harp in order to raise money for her subsistence in the more material world she finds herself. As luck, or shall we say heavenly direction, would have it, she deposits the instrument in the very pawnshop her superiors had planned her work should commence.
Here, our damsel finds work a-plenty. Old Mr Webman, the owner of 'Uncle's', the pawnshop, becoming crotchety in his old age and only worrying about his priceless collection of music boxes, Len, his young assistant, who loves Jenny Lane and fears for his chances; there is Jenny herself, really in love with Len but not quite ready to admit it; and Mr Lane troubled by his wife's never-ending toil, while Len's widowed mother, an vitriolic friend, a hard-hearted bookmaker, two gentlemen crooks and some boon drinking companions ensure that Angel shall never be at a loss for good words and deeds.
COMMENT: A British "B" movie that earned plenty of money in Diane Cilento's home country, Australia. True, Miss Cilento is certainly a rather fetching angel, but the rest of the players (and characters) are more routine and make little impression. Dull direction doesn't help either.
Presumably the lovely Diane still has lots of fans in England, as the movie is or was available on a good quality (but by no means perfect) Simply Media DVD.
OTHER VIEWS: Diane Cilento has a definite personal success... perfectly charming... I enjoyed it. — Jympson Harman in The Evening News.
Innocent and appealing... Diane Cilento — a find if ever there was one. — John Gay in Empire News.
The week's most charming offering... pleasant and heartwarming. — Peter Burnup in News of the World.
Enchanting comedy... A film to strum your heart-strings. — Ross Shepherd in The People.
This is an endearing film. ...Diane Cilento is enchanting. — Harris Deans in Sunday Dispatch.
What a pleasant surprise... out-of-this-world charm... delightful. — Robert Ottaway in Sunday Graphic.
Full of wonderful character actors and good humour. — Bernard McElwaine in Sunday Pictorial.