Fun at St. Fanny's is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Fred Emney, Cardew Robinson and Vera Day.[1] The film revolves around the teachers and students at St Fanny's private school. It was based on Robinson's "Cardew the Cad" character which he created in 1942 and was featured in the BBC's Variety Bandbox programme.[2]
| Fun at St. Fanny's | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Maurice Elvey |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Eric Cross |
| Edited by | Robert Jordan Hill |
| Music by | Edwin Astley |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | British Lion (UK) |
Release dates |
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Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editCardew the Cad is a 25-year-old pupil at St. Fanny's school who will inherit a fortune unless he is expelled, when the cash will go to the school. Headmaster Dr. Septimus Jankers tries to get Cardew expelled by framing him for a robbery committed by a gang of villains. But his plan is foiled by Maisie, sister of one of the crooks, who has fallen in love with Cardew.
Cast
edit- Fred Emney as Dr. Septimus Jankers
- Cardew Robinson as Cardew the Cad
- Vera Day as Maisie
- Johnny Brandon as Fanshawe
- Davy Kaye as Ferdy
- Freddie Mills as Harry the Scar
- Gerald Campion as Fatty Gilbert
- Miriam Karlin as Mildred
- Claude Hulbert as Winkle
- Kynaston Reeves as McTavish
- Gabrielle Brune as Matron
- Stanley Unwin as the guide
- Dino Galvani as Pumpernickel
- Peter Butterworth as the potter
- Paul Daneman as Fudge
- Roger Avon as Horsetrough
- Ronnie Corbett as Chumleigh
- Aud Johansen as Praline
- Tom Gill as constable
- Marianne Stone
- Douglas Ives as museum attendant
- Stuart Saunders as Police Sergeant
- Neil Wilson as second museum attendant
- Melvyn Hayes as heckling boy at concert
- Anthony Valentine as schoolboy in audience
Production
editThe film's sets were designed by art director Norman G. Arnold.[3]
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The talents of excellent music-hall performers (Fred Emney and Miriam Karlin) and able character actors (Vera Day, Gerald Campion, Claude Hulbert) are atrophied by the wretched story and puerile dialogue of this depressing farce."[4]
Variety wrote: "A straggling story, set in a boy's college, shows a harassed headmaster dodging pressing creditors. Humor is labored and the stock situations handed out with an edge of vulgarity showing nothing new in idea or treatment, utilizing all the immature antics of uncontrollable youngsters. ... Cardew Robinson, vaude-tv comic, plays himself in the role of protracted adolescent, making a play for the femme staff and extracting many laughs. Miriam Karlin handles the tough female teacher assignment realistically while Gabrielle Brune is the school matron. Vera Day swings a pretty hip as the bookie's chiselling sister. Claude Hulbert contributes his customary fatuous pose as a junior master. Freddie Mills, ex-boxing champ, and Davy Kaye represent the seamy side of the racetrack with conviction."[5]
The Standard called it "the British school joke stretched almost to infinity."[6]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "poor", writing: "Competent cast routed by what must be one of film history's worst comedy screenplays."[7]
References
edit- ^ "Fun at St. Fanny's". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Telegraph, Group Limited (1 June 1998). The Daily Telegraph Third Book of Obituaries: Entertainers. Pan. ISBN 9780330367752 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Fun at St. Fanny's (1955)". BFI. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ "Fun at St. Fanny's". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 23 (264): 19. 1 January 1956 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "Fun at St. Fanny's". Variety. 201 (6): 22. 11 January 1956 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "BFI Screenonline: Fun at St. Fanny's (1956)". www.screenonline.org.uk.
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 312. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.