Young Wives' Tale (1951)

A post-war housing crisis leaves a shy woman to share a house with two couples. Comic situations arise as the new roomer becomes infatuated with one of the husbands.

Director:

Henry Cass

Writers:

Anne Burnaby, Ronald Jeans (play)

Stars:

Joan Greenwood, Nigel Patrick, Derek Farr

Cast

Credited cast:
Joan Greenwood	...	Sabina Pennant
Nigel Patrick	...	Rodney Pennant
Derek Farr	...	Bruce Banning
Guy Middleton	...	Victor Manifold
Athene Seyler	...	Nanny Gallop
Helen Cherry	...	Mary Banning
Audrey Hepburn	...	Eve Lester
Fabia Drake	...	Nanny Blott
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Selma Vaz Dias	...	Ayah
Irene Handl	...	Nanny
Carole James	...	Elizabeth
Jack McNaughton	...	Cab driver
Brian Oulton	...	Man in pub
Joan Sanderson	...	Nurse

Storyline

A post-war housing crisis leaves a shy woman to share a house with two couples. Comic situations arise as the new roomer becomes infatuated with one of the husbands.

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Plot Keywords:

based on play

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Taglines:

...and what a tale!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 June 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gift på vift

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Shenley Road, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

A treat if you like '50s movies

I love this comedy and have watched it umpteen times. I haven't seen it for a while so the details of the plot escape me, but they don't really matter. What is so good about it is the unselfconscious depiction of London picking itself up after World War II, and the relaxed comedy style of the actors, most of whom will be familiar faces to anyone who watched British TV in the '70s too. Joan Greenwood is a dream as usual

• watch out for the vault over the sofa - as a young housewife feeling

ever so slightly bored with staying at home and the continuing hardships of the period - and where else could you see Athene Seyler, Fabia Drake and Irene Handl all together? Last and far from least there is a charming appearance from Audrey Hepburn in her fifth film. The men are good but this is really a treasury of female performances. It's all very light and stylish without being over-glamorous, very refreshing.

Also, for serious buffs, the cinematographer was the great Erwin Hillier who worked with F.W. Murnau on 'Tabu', with Fritz Lang on 'M', and with Powell and Pressburger on 'A Canterbury Tale' and 'I Know Where I'm Going', and many other major movies.