The Green Man

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

An assassin is annoyed by a vacuum cleaner salesman determined to stop him.An assassin is annoyed by a vacuum cleaner salesman determined to stop him.An assassin is annoyed by a vacuum cleaner salesman determined to stop him.

Directors
- Robert Day
- Basil Dearden
Writers
- Sidney Gilliat
- Frank Launder
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.1/10

2.5K

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Robert Day
- Basil Dearden
Writers
- Sidney Gilliat
- Frank Launder
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 1 nomination total

Photos89

+ 83

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
This film had a long gestation. It began life as a play by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat called "The Body was Well-Nourished", originally written in 1937, but not staged until 1940. At that time, the character of the assassin was a supporting role. The play lasted less than three weeks in London, although this was less due to unpopularity than to the Blitz. Launder and Gilliat were never quite satisfied with the play, and, after the war, revised and updated it, re-titling it "Meet a Body". This was first staged in 1954 (produced by Laurence Olivier, who did not act in it), but the authors still felt it could be improved, and turned it into a film vehicle for Alastair Sim, who originally wanted to direct, or at least co-direct, it. He had some disagreements with Robert Day, so several scenes were directed either by Basil Dearden or by Launder and Gilliat themselves.

Goofs
The voiceover explaining how great men are undone by trivial things, says King John died from a surfeit of lampreys; traditionally this was said about King Henry I.

Quotes
Hawkins: [to three lady musicians playing in the lounge of the "Green Man" inn] Ladies! I've never heard a trio play with such brio! And, after that perfectly-judged andantino, perhaps you'd join me in a little vino?

Connections
Featured in Talkies: Remembering Dora Bryan/Our Dora (2019)

Soundtracks
Gaudeamus igitur
(uncredited)
Traditional
Heard when the school photo is seen at the start of the film.

User reviews40

Review

Featured review

8/10

Another 50's triumph

A murder, a deliberate mix-up with house numbers, a vacuum-cleaner salesman and a young bride-to-be in a compromising position. Oh, and a pompous politician about to be blown up by an assassin with a bomb in a wireless. It gets even better when these people are played by George Cole, Jill Adams, Raymond Huntley and of course the great Alastair Sim. This is a farce in the true British sense, with lots of running about, hiding of bodies and misunderstandings. Add to the mix Terry-Thomas making the most of his modest role and the much underrated Colin Gordon playing a stiff BBC announcer on the edge of a nervous breakdown and we have the recipe for a wonderful Sunday afternoon film. Britain made this type of film with great aplomb in the 50's, perhaps because our National Character was so 'send-upable' at the time and we didn't mind laughing at ourselves. We don't make them now, which is why we go out and buy DVD's of 50-year-old comedies that have no equal. Superb.