Josephine and Men

Josephine and Men is a 1955 British Boulting Brothers gentle comedy film directed by Roy Boulting and starring Glynis Johns, Jack Buchanan, Donald Sinden and Peter Finch.[1] It also features William Hartnell, Gerald Sim, Thorley Walters, Victor Maddern and John Le Mesurier in supporting roles.[2]

Josephine and Men
British 1-sheet poster
Directed byRoy Boulting
Produced byJohn Boulting
Written byNigel Balchin
Frank Harvey
Roy Boulting
StarringGlynis Johns
Jack Buchanan
Donald Sinden
Peter Finch
Music byJohn Addison
CinematographyGilbert Taylor
Edited byMaxwell Benedict
Production
company
Charter Film Productions
Distributed byBritish Lion Films (UK)
Release date
9 November 1955 (London) (UK)
Running time
98 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Josephine's (Glynis Johns) story is told in flashback by her suave bachelor uncle (Jack Buchanan). We hear how she rejects her wealthy fiancé Alan (Donald Sinden)(who owns a Bristol 405 car) for his friend David (Peter Finch), an unsuccessful playwright. But when their situations are reversed, Josephine's interest in David starts to wane. She is a woman we hear, always drawn to underdogs.

Mr Charles Luton (Jack Buchanan) is living in a hotel and on good terms with the receptionist and barman. He tells them of his problem with women. He then starts explaining his niece, Josephine... he describes her moral campaigning as being a "one-woman Salvation Army".

Josephine introduces her fiancee, Alan Hartley (Donald Sinden), to the uncle over dinner. All three go to visit "whats-his-name" (Peter Finch) in a run down tenement. He lives on the top floor and a half-dressed Italian girl storms off as they arrive. "Whats-his-name", David Hewer, an unemployed playwright, is living in squalor. Josephine offers to wash the big pile of dishes. His attic flat has a rooftop view over other houses to two gasometers in the mid-distance... which although seen as a romantic view would then be seen as undesirable. Josephine leaves her gloves so she has an excuse to return alone. She tidies a bit and leaves, almost forgetting her gloves. They shake hands.

Back at Josephine's parents house, Alan, Josephine and her parents inspect the wedding presents. The parents look down upon the electroplated silver tray, as an inferior gift. However, Josephine tells Alan she wants to break off the engagement and marry David Hewer... but he does not know yet. Josephine makes it clear that she must marry the person who needs her most i.e. the underdog.

David and Josephine marry at a registry office on Friday the 13th April. The Italian girl and the Bohemian living in David's tenement act as witnesses. Alan forgives them both and sends a silver Georgian teapot as a wedding gift.

David writes two successful comedies: "Love on a Crust" and "Hard Cheese". Meanwhile Alan concentrates on his professional life and becomes hugely successful.

Joe and David move to a remote country cottage. Uncle Charlie comes to visit (with quite a lot of luggage).

The police arrive at Alan Hartley's house looking to arrest him for obtaining money by deception. Although this does not appear to be his own fault, he flees. He runs to David and Joe arriving in heavy rain having walked 15 miles. Alan is invited to stay but David starts to become paranoid that he will be discovered there and they might all be arrested. Joe starts to gravitate towards Alan as his "need" is greater.

The police arrive at the cottage and ask questions about Hartley. Uncle Charlie and David answer all questions truthfully but in a tactful way to avoid giving any useful information. Uncle Charles says he saw Alan "recently" .... at his club two years ago.

Alan discusses his plan to escape to South America with Joe. Uncle Charles returns to find Joe and Alan kissing in the cottage.

David gets fed up with it all and goes to the pub. Uncle Charles joins him later, but David rushes off after making a phone call.

Joe and Alan are stopped by police while driving. He gives himself up and at the station discovers that his partner left a note taking full blame. Joe instantly realises she is not needed by him and she must return to David. At home Uncle Charlie gets her to rewrite her goodbye note.

Cast

Critical reception

Britmovie wrote, "the lightweight and stagey story is framed in flashback by the debonair Jack Buchanan’s narration but fails to exude any humour or convincing romance." [3] while the Radio Times concluded, "not as funny as it could have been, but the cast is likeable." [4]

References

  1. "Josephine and Men (1955) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
  2. "Josephine and Men (1955)". BFI. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012.
  3. "Josephine and Men". britmovie.co.uk. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
  4. Ronald Bergan. "Josephine and Men". RadioTimes.
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