Mandy (1952)

Director:

Alexander Mackendrick

Writers:

Nigel Balchin (writer)
Hilda Lewis (novel)

Release Date:

March 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Mandy Garland was born deaf and has been mute for all of her life. Her parents believe she is able to speak if she can only be taught and enroll her with a special teacher.

Plot Keywords:

Deaf | Deafness | Ealing | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 6 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Phyllis Calvert	...	Christine Garland
Jack Hawkins	...	Searle
Terence Morgan	...	Harry Garland
Godfrey Tearle	...	Mr Garland senior
Mandy Miller	...	Mandy Garland
Marjorie Fielding	...	Mrs Garland senior
Nancy Price	...	Miss Ellis
Edward Chapman	...	Ackland
Patricia Plunkett	...	Miss Cricker
Eleanor Summerfield	...	Lily
Colin Gordon	...	Woollard (junior)
Dorothy Alison	...	Miss Stockton
Julian Amyes	...	Jimmy Tabor
Gabrielle Brune	...	Secretary
John Cazabon	...	Davey

Also Known As:

Crash of Silence (USA)
The Story of Mandy (USA)

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

West Germany:6 | UK:A (original rating) | UK:PG (video) | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #15852) | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company:

Ealing Studios

Trivia:

Mandy's full name is Amanda Jane Garland.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Harry Garland, Mandy's father, precipitously leaves the flat where Mandy and Christine are staying, he departs empty handed. In the next scene, coming out of the taxi, he has the bag he had brought into the flat.

Quotes:

Christine Garland: [Voiceover] They all told us; in the most reassuring way, there was nothing to be done about it. Mandy would never hear, she would never be able to imagine what sound was like, so naturally, she would be dumb too. To the doctors it was an interesting case, but not at all unusual. One child in every sixteen thousand is born that way, and they explained that all over the country we should fined special schools, day schools or residential.

A feel-good movie if ever there was one

The Mandy of the title truly is the star of the film, as almost all of the adults underplay their scenes with her to help her shine brighter.

When Mandy's parents find out she is deaf, they have differing ideas on what to do next. Mother, Christine, wants to send Mandy to a special school for deaf children so she can learn to read and write - and perhaps speak - and be as much like other children as possible. But her father, Harry, is somewhat ashamed of his daughter and would rather keep Mandy hidden away at his parents' house with only a governess to teach her the finger alphabet. After seeing how she reacts with other children, Christine realises that for Mandy's sake she must get her to the school, and leaves Harry. Watching Mandy's progress in the school provides some fascinating insight into ways of teaching and, contrary to Harry's thoughts, she does progress, with help from headmaster Searle. A second storyline is developed here as people increasingly believe that Christine is having an affair with Searle, when in fact they are both only interested in the good of the child.

A real "four tissue" movie, 10/10.