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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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

that's you, from laughter!

Utterly hilarious from the first montage of droll assassinations (not really funny in news-horror 2006) but hilarious in it's clunky 50s tone set by Alistair Sim, THE GREEN MAN is a situation comedy of mistaken identity (including the title) that is as sharp now as 50 years ago. From clumsy George Cole and his vacuum cleaner salesman antics at the wrong house (Windybanks? anyone?) to Terry Thomas' leering spluttering "Basil Brush" type pub skirt-chasing THE GREEN MAN lurches hilariously from one weird character and place to screamingly funny suspense with the radio on the wrong station at the pub of the title. This is one of the most unappreciated and funniest Brit pix of the 50s and I implore you to get a copy any way you can. It should be up there with THE LADYKILLERS or SMALLEST SHOW ON EARTH in beloved UK comedies...it even has Richard Wattis! Delight! And Alistair Sim...a sublime dry performance of apt face contortions ...his look of disgust alone had me laughing for days.