Her Man Gilbey (1944)
"English Without Tears" (original title)

While Lady Christabel Beauclark, a bird fancier, is scurrying about demanding certain territorial rights for British birds from other countries, Her Ladyship's niece is falling in love with... See full summary »

Director:

Harold French

Writers:

Anatole de Grunwald (original screenplay), Terence Rattigan (original screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Wilding, Penelope Dudley-Ward, Lilli Palmer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Wilding	...	Tom Gilbey
Penelope Dudley-Ward	...	Joan Heseltine (as Penelope Ward)
Lilli Palmer	...	Brigid Knudsen
Claude Dauphin	...	François de Freycinet
Albert Lieven	...	Felix Dembowski
Peggy Cummins	...	Bobbie Heseltine
Margaret Rutherford	...	Lady Christabel Beauclerk
Martin Miller	...	Schmidt
Roland Culver	...	Sir Cosmo Brandon
Paul Demel	...	M. Saladoff
Beryl Measor	...	Miss Faljambe
Guy Middleton	...	Captain Standish
Esma Cannon	...	Queenie
Ivor Barnard	...	Mr. Quiel
Paul Bonifas	...	Monsieur Rolland (as Paul Boniface)

Storyline

While Lady Christabel Beauclark, a bird fancier, is scurrying about demanding certain territorial rights for British birds from other countries, Her Ladyship's niece is falling in love with the family butler, Tom Gilbey. The birds are forgotten when war breaks out, and Gilbey now finds himself in love with the niece whose love was previously unrequited.

---

Plot Keywords:

butler | family butler | france | delegation | cricket the game | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Romance | War

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1944 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Her Man Gilbey

Company Credits

Production Co:

Two Cities Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Auld Lang Syne"
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Rigid and Frigid

English without Tears is a movie of surprising length, considering that its less than 90 minutes long. Perhaps it is so because the war was on in 1944 when it was released - but this is more a farce than comedy.

For such a short movie, there is a lot going on. There is the plot about the butler and one of the girls who professes her love for him. Then there is the plot about the English Instructor with whom the students cheat on their real instructor with. Then there is the farce element of mistaken manners, and confused situations.

There is even an S and M theme going on with how one of the characters treats another, and it serves as their own personal turn on.

Lillie Palmer is radiant and under used in this film. However the casting of frigid and rigid Penelope Dudley-Ward makes the heroine unsympathetic and engaging. Michael Wilding is wooden at ease and uncomfortable when he should be relaxed. It all simply doesn't work.

The most ironic line of all in the movie is "I do not understand jokes because I have no sense of humor" is said by a woman to her uniformed date at a dance, to which the gentleman retorts with "Then I will explain the joke to you".

Movies, like jokes aren't funny when they have to be explained either.