One Wild Oat

A barrister (Robertson Hare) attempts to discourage his daughter's infatuation for a philanderer by revealing his past. The plan backfires when the daughter's would-be father-in-law (Stanley Holloway) threatens to reveal the barrister's shady background.

• Robertson Hare as Humphrey Proudfoot
• Stanley Holloway as Alfred Gilbey
• Sam Costa as Mr. Pepys
• Andrew Crawford as Fred Gilbey
• Vera Pearce as Mrs. Gilbey
• June Sylvaine as Cherrie Proudfoot
• Robert Moreton as Throstle
• Constance Lorne as Mrs. Proudfoot
• Gwen Cherrell as Audrey Cuttle #1
• Irene Handl as Emily Pepys (Audrey Cuttle #2)
• Ingeborg von Kusserow as Gloria Samson (as Ingeborg Wells)
• Charles Groves as Charles
• Joan Rice as Annie (maid)
• Audrey Hepburn as the Hotel receptionist
• Fred Berger as Samson
• James Fox as the porter
• Roger Moore (uncredited) had a bit part

It was made at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith with sets designed by the art director Ivan King. The film was adapted by Vernon Sylvaine from his 1948 play One Wild Oat. The stage production debuted at the Garrick Theatre in London and was directed by Jack Buchanan.

The stage version starred Robertson Hare, who reprised his role for the film, and Arthur Riscoe (who replaced Alfred Drayton following his death in 1949), the part being played by Stanley Holloway in the screen version. The stage cast were (in order of appearance): Julie Mortimer, Constance Lorne, Robertson Hare, George Bradford/Robert Moreton, June Sylvaine, Arthur Riscoe, John Stone, Ruth Maitland, Tom Squire, Charles Groves, Anne Stapledon, Horace Sequeira and Helene Burls.

Theatre Programme from the original West End production.

In addition to the film featuring early appearances from future stars Audrey Hepburn and Roger Moore, the role of Cherrie (June Sylvaine) was played, in the stage and film version, by the wife of the author (Vernon Sylvaine). Audrey has a thirty-second scene as a hotel receptionist. Interesting to note that thirteen years later, she would be the star and Holloway the support in My Fair Lady.

During the play's West End run, the Garrick Theatre and two cast members were featured in a humorous cameo scene, reading The Stage newspaper (probably looking for new jobs due to London's anticipated destruction), in the 1950 film Seven Days to Noon (see still).

Scene from the 1950 film Seven Days to Noon, illustrating that the stage version of "One Wild Oat" predates the film. (see notes)

There was a television version of the play shown by the BBC in 1972 starring Brian Rix.

• One Wild Oat at IMDb
• One Wild Oat at Rotten Tomatoes
• Seven Days to Noon at IMDb