My Learned Friend (1943)

An insane murderer is on the loose, and gunning for the men who put him away. Will Hay is on the list, and co-opts Claude Hulbert to try and stop him from meeting a grisly end. This black ... See full summary »

Directors:

Basil Dearden, Will Hay

Writers:

John Dighton, Angus MacPhail

Stars:

Will Hay, Claude Hulbert, Mervyn Johns

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Will Hay	...	William Fitch
Claude Hulbert	...	Claude Babbington
Mervyn Johns	...	Grimshaw
Laurence Hanray	...	Sir Norman
Aubrey Mallalieu	...	Magistrate
Charles Victor	...	'Safety' Wilson
Derna Hazell	...	Gloria
Leslie Harcourt	...	Barman
Eddie Phillips	...	'Basher' Blake
G.H. Mulcaster	...	Dr Scudamore
Ernest Thesiger	...	Ferris
Lloyd Pearson	...	Colonel Chudleigh
Gibb McLaughlin	...	Butler
Maudie Edwards	...	Ethel 'Aladdin' Redfern

Storyline

An insane murderer is on the loose, and gunning for the men who put him away. Will Hay is on the list, and co-opts Claude Hulbert to try and stop him from meeting a grisly end. This black comedy suggests that, had he lived, Will Hay might have moved on to the darker corners of Ealing comedies such as 'The Ladykillers'.

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Plot Keywords:

ealing

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 1943 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mit liv er i fare

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

74 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

References Safety Last! (1923)

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Soundtracks

"Boogie Bounce"
(uncredited)
from Dead of Night
Music by Lou Preager

User Reviews

The wonderful Will Hay signs off with black comedy classic.

A mad murderer is on the loose and vowing to kill off all those who done him wrong. Seventh on the list is failed lawyer William Fitch, can Fitch and his equally inefficient cohort Claude Babbington stop the madman before Fitch meets his end?

This was sadly to be Will Hay's last film before retiring due to ill health that would claim his life in 1949, with a CV boasting only 19 acting credits, it's not a wonder that the fabulous Will Hay is still not a big enough name to befit his considerable comedic acting talent. Of the 19 acting credits to is name, My Learned Friend easily slots into a top five best list, fusing mad cap comedy with delicious dots of dry black humour, it's a brisk and delightful way to spend 74 minutes. Tagging along with Hay is Claude Hulbert as Babbington, full of vigour he is the perfect foil to Hay's brand of delivery, whilst Mervyn Johns has a devilishly good time as the mad vendetta driven Grimshaw. There is no pious propaganda here, no ulterior motives hidden within the structure, it's a simplistic tale given total comedic treatment from a much undervalued British treasure. 9/10