The Butler's Dilemma
The Butler's Dilemma | |
---|---|
Directed by | Leslie S. Hiscott |
Produced by |
Elizabeth Hiscott Graham Cutts |
Written by | Michael Barringer |
Starring |
Richard Hearne Francis L. Sullivan Judy Kelly Hermione Gingold |
Music by | John Blore Borelli (as John Blore) |
Cinematography | James Wilson |
Edited by | Erwin Reiner |
Production company |
Shaftesbury Films |
Distributed by | Anglo-American Film Corporation |
Release dates |
(UK) |
Running time | 83 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
The Butler's Dilemma is a 1943 black-and-white British comedy film, directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Richard Hearne in a dual role as Rodney Playfair and a Butler called Chapman, Ronald Shiner as Ernie, Ian Fleming, Francis L. Sullivan, Judy Kelly and Hermione Gingold.[1] It was produced by Elisabeth Hiscott, Graham Cutts for Shaftesbury Films, and filmed at British National Studios.[1]
Synopsis
A group of friends undertake a number of deceptions in order to stage an illicit gambling party. Wimpish Rodney Playfair (Hearne) is persuaded, by a promise to erase his gambling debts, to impersonate an old manservant named Chapman (also played by Hearne) for a few weeks in order to unwittingly provide an alibi for an accomplished thief. [2] Hearne's dual roles alternates between him playing the timid young Playfair, (in effect Hearne playing his real age) and the doddery butler 'Chapman', who is 'Mr Pastry' in all but name. A dated comedy but interesting for Hearne's energetic performance at the peak of his popularity.
Cast
- Rodney Playfair - Richard Hearne
- Leo Carrington - Francis L. Sullivan
- Ann - Judy Kelly
- Aunt Sophie - Hermione Gingold
- Carmichael - Henry Kendall
- Vitello - André Randall
- Sir Hubert Playfair - Ian Fleming
- Bishop - Ralph Truman
- Tom - Wally Patch
- Ernie - Ronald Shiner
- Mrs Plumb - Marjorie Rhodes
- Detective - Arthur Denton
- Policeman - Alf Goddard
Critical reception
TV Guide gave the film two out of five stars, calling it, "Terribly tepid."[3]
References
External links
- The Butler's Dilemma at AllMovie
- The Butler's Dilemma at the British Film Institute's Film and TV Database
- The Butler's Dilemma at the Internet Movie Database