Easy Money (1948 film)

Easy Money is a 1948 British satirical film about one of the most beloved traditions of the English, the football pools, is composed of four tales about the effect a major win has on four different groups in the post-war period. Written by Muriel and Sydney Box based on the play "Easy Money" written by Arnold Ridley and directed by Bernard Knowles, it was released by Gainsborough Pictures.

Easy Money
Original poster
Directed byBernard Knowles
Produced byA. Frank Bundy
Written byArnold Ridley (play)
Muriel Box
Sydney Box
StarringGreta Gynt
Dennis Price
Jack Warner
Petula Clark
Mervyn Johns
Distributed byGainsborough Pictures
Release date
20 January 1948
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£116,821[1][2]
Box office£125,300 (by Dec 1949)[1]

Plot

In the first story, a comedy, a content suburban family, headed by Jack Warner, is turned into an unhappy lot when they believe that they have the winning coupon in the football pools. But when it's discovered that the winning coupon apparently wasn't mailed by the younger daughter (Petula Clark), they regain their previously happy lives that had been made unhappy by plans they made regarding how to spend their winnings. Then, when it is discovered that the winning coupon was, in fact, mailed, they decide that they have learned their lesson and resolve not to let the money ruin their happiness.

The second is more tragic, with a mild-mannered clerk (Mervyn Johns) concerned about quitting his mundane job.

The third is a suspenseful crime caper involving a coupon checker (Dennis Price) and his nightclub singer girlfriend (Greta Gynt in a send-up of Rita Hayworth's Gilda) who devise a scheme to embezzle the winning pot.

The final episode, another comedy, concerns a dispirited bass player (Edward Rigby) who discovers he misses the orchestra he left.

Cast

Reception

Critics at the time noted the film was faintly reminiscent of the all-star 1932 Hollywood release If I Had a Million. It earned mixed reviews, but proved to be popular with audiences – still reeling from the effects of World War II – seeking lighthearted entertainment.

The film earned a profit of £2,200.[1]

References
  1. Andrew Spicer, Sydney Box Manchester Uni Press 2006 p 210
  2. Spicer, Andrew. "'The Apple of Mr. Rank's Mercatorial Eye': Managing Director of Gainsborough Pictures". Academia.edu.au. p. 106.

Gainsborough Melodrama, edited by Sue Aspinall and Robert Murphy, published by the British Film Institute, London, 1983

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