Crash of Silence (1952)
"Mandy" (original title)

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.

Director:

Alexander Mackendrick

Writers:

Hilda Lewis (novel), Nigel Balchin (screenplay),

Stars:

Phyllis Calvert, Jack Hawkins, Terence Morgan

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

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Phyllis Calvert	...	Christine Garland
Jack Hawkins	...	Dick Searle
Terence Morgan	...	Harry Garland
Godfrey Tearle	...	Mr. Garland
Mandy Miller	...	Mandy Garland
Marjorie Fielding	...	Mrs. Garland
Nancy Price	...	Jane Ellis
Edward Chapman	...	Ackland
Patricia Plunkett	...	Miss Crocker
Eleanor Summerfield	...	Lily Tabor
Colin Gordon	...	Woollard - Junior
Dorothy Alison	...	Miss Stockton
Julian Amyes	...	Jimmy Tabor
Gabrielle Brune	...	The Secretary
John Cazabon	...	Davey

Storyline

Mandy 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 so enrol her with a special teacher.

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Plot Keywords:

deaf | disability | ealing | deafness | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

March 1953 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Story of Mandy

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

A little note within the opening credits reads as such: "All concerned with the shooting of this film in Manchester wish to express their gratitude to the Governors and Staff of the Royal Residential Schools for the Deaf, and admiration for their work."

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Christine Garland: [heated argument] Don't you see? Because she isn't used to them that this sort of thing happens. She must learn to live with other children.
Harry Garland: We've had this out over fifty times. We've all tried to explain it.
Christine Garland: All? You mean you and your family. Your father who's so lazy he wouldn't lift a finger to help and your mother who uses Mandy as something to gush about and sentimentalise over like a, like a spinster with a lap dog.
Harry Garland: CHRIS.
Christine Garland: And YOU are ashamed of Mandy... wanting to keep her out of sight. ...
[...]

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Soundtracks

"Just Waitin'"
(uncredited)
Written by Una Bart

User Reviews

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.