Second Fiddle (1957 film)

Second Fiddle

DVD cover
Directed by Maurice Elvey
Produced by Robert Dunbar
Written by Robert Dunbar
Allan MacKinnon
Based on story by Mary Cathcart Borer
Robert Dunbar
Starring Adrienne Corri
Thorley Walters
Lisa Gastoni
Music by William Davies
Cinematography Arthur Graham
Edited by Ted Hunter
Production
company
Distributed by British Lion Films (UK)
Release dates
June 1957
Running time
78 minutes
Country United Kingdom
Language English

Second Fiddle is a 1957 British comedy film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Adrienne Corri, Thorley Walters, Lisa Gastoni and Richard Wattis. The film was produced by Robert Dunbar for Act Films Ltd.[1] It was the final film of prolific director Maurice Elvey. [2]

Second Fiddle was missing from the BFI National Archive, and was listed as one of the British Film Institute's "75 Most Wanted" lost films.[3] BFI's update on the list reveals that the film is now found and commercially available on DVD from mid-2015.[4]

Plot

Deborah and Charles, very much in love, are young executives at the successful Pontifex Advertising Agency. Deborah is highly sought after as a brilliant TV executive, while Charles is regarded as thoroughly efficient. The Pontifex board of directors however, will not allow any married women on their staff. Charles’ fiancée Deborah worries about her future with the company. Eventually the company reverses their policy, enabling newly-wed Deborah to continue working. When Deborah wins a lucrative advertising campaign in New York, and Charles seems to be overlooked for a promotion he was confident would be his, Charles feels his masculinity threatened. Whilst Deb is away in New York, Charles becomes involved in a flirtatious relationship with his attractive secretary Pauline.

Cast

Critical reception

DVD Compare wrote, "it’s a film that is photographed in a very static way, in a studio setting (Shepperton Studios) and with much use of long takes and theatrical ‘side-on’ blocking of actors – but this fits the material like a glove. It’s a funny, enjoyable film which also slyly comments on issues of gender at work and at home." [2]

References

  1. Action! Fifty Years in the Life of a Union. Published: 1983 (UK). Publisher: ACTT. ISBN 0 9508993 0 5. ACT Films Limited - Ralph Bond p81 (producer listed as Robert Dunbar)
  2. 1 2 http://www.dvdcompare.net/review.php?rid=3743
  3. "Second Fiddle / BFI Most Wanted". British Film Institute.
  4. "Network ON AIR > Second Fiddle". networkonair.com.
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