Second Fiddle (1957 film)
| Second Fiddle | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 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
- Adrienne Corri as Deborah
- Thorley Walters as Charles
- Lisa Gastoni as Pauline
- Richard Wattis as Bill Turner
- Bill Fraser as Nixon
- Aud Johansen as Greta
- Madoline Thomas as Fenny
- Brian Nissen as Jack Carter
- Ryck Rydon as Chuck
- Jill Melford as Dolly
- Joy Webster as Joan
- Dino Galvani as Dino
- Johnny Briggs as Jimmy
- Launce Maraschal as Pontifex
- Frederick Piper as Potter
- Beckett Bould as General
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
- ↑ 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)
- 1 2 http://www.dvdcompare.net/review.php?rid=3743
- ↑ "Second Fiddle / BFI Most Wanted". British Film Institute.
- ↑ "Network ON AIR > Second Fiddle". networkonair.com.