The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954)

These schoolgirls are more interested in racing forms than books as they try to get-rich-quick. They are abetted by the head-mistress' brother, played by Alastair Sim, who also plays the head-mistress.

Director:

Frank Launder

Writers:

Frank Launder (screenplay), Sidney Gilliat (screenplay),

Stars:

Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, George Cole

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alastair Sim	...	Miss Millicent Fritton / Clarence Fritton
Joyce Grenfell	...	P.W. Sgt. Ruby Gates
George Cole	...	Flash Harry
Hermione Baddeley	...	Miss Drownder
Betty Ann Davies	...	Miss Waters
Renee Houston	...	Miss Brimmer (as Renée Houston)
Beryl Reid	...	Miss Wilson
Irene Handl	...	Miss Gale
Mary Merrall	...	Miss Buckland
Joan Sims	...	Miss Dawn
Balbina	...	Mlle de St. Emilion
Jane Henderson	...	Miss Holland
Diana Day	...	Jackie
Jill Braidwood	...	Florrie
Annabelle Covey	...	Maudie

Storyline

The arrival of Sultan's daughter Princess Fatima at England's famous and prestigious 'School for Young Ladies' precipitates even more chaos than usual. Her father's horse Arab Boy is due to run at the nearby Gold Cup so Clarence Fitton, bookie brother of headmistress Millicent, ensures his own daughter is on hand to report progress. At the same time Barchester police have planted sergeant Ruby Gates as a teacher, and the Ministry of Education are sending a third inspector down after the previous two disappeared without trace.

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Plot Keywords:

school | schoolgirl | uniform | st trinian's

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 1955 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Ballade i pigepensionen

Filming Locations:

All Nations College, Easneye, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions, British Lion Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The school motto, written under the silver cup stands, is "In flagrante delicto", Latin for "a burning offense". However, it was commonly used in British divorce cases as a euphemism for caught in the act of sex. It would, of course, hardly be the motto of a girls' school.

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Quotes

Arabella: Monica Drew wasn't expelled when she burnt down the gymnasium.
Miss Fritton: The gymnasium was insured! The sports pavilion was not.

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Connections

Followed by The Wildcats of St. Trinian's (1980)

User Reviews

One of the funniest...

I first saw this film in the late fifties or early sixties on tv. If I recall correctly there were a few other films in the story of the St. Trinian's Belles. I don't remember the others quite well, but the first one is without question one of the funniest films out of Britain I have ever seen. For that matter, out of anywhere. The sight gags are fast and furious, the dialogue is to die for and almost all the characters are brilliantly drawn and just plain funny. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves immensely. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates good old fashioned comedy (not rated R) and I think even children will love it. This is one of those movies (and its sequels) that I would pay almost anything to own. Enjoy it if you ever get a chance to see it.