The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp (1954) User Reviews

rather charming, a nicely made film

[Brucey_D · 8/10 · 13 April 2016]

Once you accept the premise, that an angel needs to pawn a harp in order to fund her good works on Earth, this film trundles along nicely. The cast performs commendably, with Alfie Bass and Jerry Desmonde adding their talents to the mix.

Diane Cilento positively 'glows angelically' on screen, in no small measure because of Arthur Grant (of Hammer Film fame, whose credits include 'Quatermass and the Pit') being in charge of the cinematography.

Every scene is beautifully lit in it's own way; it is a pleasure to see a nicely crafted film like this. I daresay the budget wasn't huge, but they made a really nice job of it. Many of the shots (both indoors and out) offer glimpses into how things would have looked at the time, making the film's look very much of its period. The story on the other hand is somewhat more timeless.

I have been fortunate enough to see this film on the 'Talking Pictures' UK freeview channel. The print used appears to be unrestored, but this did not mar my enjoyment of the film. Indeed the only real complaint I would make is that the sound and the film image were not synchronised properly when the film was broadcast.

Well worth watching.

Intricate Whimsy

[boblipton · 8/10 · 30 January 2021]

Diane Cilento is an angel, a quite literal one, sent to Islington on a piece of work. She starts out by pawning her harp to Felix Aylmer, who's worried that when he dies, his nephew will sell his beloved collection of music boxes; he accepts that they will go, but as a pawnbroker, it galls him they'll be sold for bottom dollar. There's also his shop assistant, who's in love with a neighbor, a dealer and restorer of old instruments with whom Aylmer joyously bargains, and other assorted individuals, each with his or her own petty issues. We know Miss Cilento was sent to help one or more of them, but which? And to what end?

It's a charming little fantasy, directed by Alan Bromly for Group 3, based on a short TV drama written by Charles Terrot. At 76 minutes, it's stuffed full and humanity and whimsy. Stuffing it into its original 30-minute TV slot must have produced something as delightful, intricate and beautiful as one of Aylmer's music boxes.

And what an angel!

[JohnHowardReid · 8/10 · 6 October 2017]

A Group 3 Production. New York opening at the Symphony (on a double bill with Make Me An Offer): 28 February 1956. U.S. release (through Associated Artists): February 1956. U.K. release (through British Lion): 11 April 1955. Australian release (through London Films/Universal): 11 August 1955. 6,694 feet. 74 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: This is the story of a female angel — a beautiful captivating blonde young angel to be sure — who descends from the upper reaches of the atmosphere to practice the gospel of love through word and deed.

Appropriately enough, she selects the area known as The Angel, Islington, for her goodwill tour, and it is to that not-too- endearing part of London where she is suddenly deposited from the Celestial Regions. Unfortunately, her flight from above was hurried to an extreme and she is forced to pawn her harp in order to raise money for her subsistence in the more material world she finds herself. As luck, or shall we say heavenly direction, would have it, she deposits the instrument in the very pawnshop her superiors had planned her work should commence.

Here, our damsel finds work a-plenty. Old Mr Webman, the owner of 'Uncle's', the pawnshop, becoming crotchety in his old age and only worrying about his priceless collection of music boxes, Len, his young assistant, who loves Jenny Lane and fears for his chances; there is Jenny herself, really in love with Len but not quite ready to admit it; and Mr Lane troubled by his wife's never-ending toil, while Len's widowed mother, an vitriolic friend, a hard-hearted bookmaker, two gentlemen crooks and some boon drinking companions ensure that Angel shall never be at a loss for good words and deeds.

COMMENT: A British "B" movie that earned plenty of money in Diane Cilento's home country, Australia. True, Miss Cilento is certainly a rather fetching angel, but the rest of the players (and characters) are more routine and make little impression. Dull direction doesn't help either.

Presumably the lovely Diane still has lots of fans in England, as the movie is or was available on a good quality (but by no means perfect) Simply Media DVD.

OTHER VIEWS: Diane Cilento has a definite personal success... perfectly charming... I enjoyed it. — Jympson Harman in The Evening News.

Innocent and appealing... Diane Cilento — a find if ever there was one. — John Gay in Empire News.

The week's most charming offering... pleasant and heartwarming. — Peter Burnup in News of the World.

Enchanting comedy... A film to strum your heart-strings. — Ross Shepherd in The People.

This is an endearing film. ...Diane Cilento is enchanting. — Harris Deans in Sunday Dispatch.

What a pleasant surprise... out-of-this-world charm... delightful. — Robert Ottaway in Sunday Graphic.

Full of wonderful character actors and good humour. — Bernard McElwaine in Sunday Pictorial.

Star Bright, Star Light

[writers_reign · 7/10 · 31 March 2017]

A modest effort that should, on paper, come out twee but somehow wins you over by it's combination of charm, personality and whimsey, Theatre buffs will relish the too-little narration by Robert Eddison who had one of the best speaking voices in English theatre, fully on a par with Johnny Geildgud but made only a handful of films. The premise is flimsy in the extreme; a newer angel is sent back to earth to spread a little happiness but, lacking any actual money she resorts to pawning her harp. You could argue that this is a flaw in the script because although without funds she has no trouble finding a brand new outfit for virtually every scene and is clearly having no trouble putting a roof over her head and food in her mouth. She makes her landfall on earth in Islington, a place where my cinema of choice is located - I was there today, in fact - and I fail to recognise one single landmark but that is a minor flaw. The premise is that the Angel moves amongst a small community in which everyone has minor problems which are all sorted in the short time the Angel sojourns amongst them. In other words a modest feel good entry that is well worth a look.

A film you'll never regret watching

[themarlowkemps · 7/10 · 19 July 2022]

This is a delightful film, gentle and engaging. BUT I simply cannot recognise the lovely actress Diane Cilento in the Angel. Everything about her facially is changed from the Diane Cilento we came to know thriugh her later marriage to Sean Connery.

An interesting little curiosity.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 6 April 2021]

Angels are busy spirits, and for novice Diane Cilento, her first earthly assignment requires her to aide pawnshop owner Felix Aylmer and his clerk, Philip Guard. Unfortunately, her angelic presence creates tension between Guard and his girlfriend Sheila Sweet but gives Guard the confidence to get rid of the nasty old harpy Phyllis Morris whose constant badgering has created nothing but turmoil for his mother, Genitha Halsey, a woman constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Aylmer is inspired by Cilento in his passion for all kinds of music boxes, and this gives the viewer a couple of amazing visuals concerning his creations.

Seen throughout in the long flowing white gown of an angel, Cilento is stunning, and it is obvious that every time people see her (with the exception of the devilish Thomas), they are transfixed by her sweetness. It's not the strongest of plotlines, but it's not easy to be transfixed by the simplicity and of course the holiday like music that was quite cheerful.

Thomas chatters like an evil old bird, one of the most stunning villains, reminding me of Eily Malyon in "On Borrowed Time" with a dash of Madeleine Sherwood from "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" thrown in. The visual of the eyeglass like music box is another highlight as is the giant music box house that has to be seen to be appreciated.

A enthusiastic fan.

[David Taylor · 10/10 · 1 November 2001]

I have been a fan of 'The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp' ever since I watched it on television as a child, and I consider myself fortunate to have the film on video. Based on a novel by Charles Terrot, it was shot partly on location at the Angel, Islington, and at Harringay Stadium, London. The plot concerns a beautiful blonde angel who arrives in Islington on a mission of goodwill. To raise some money, she pawns her harp at a second-hand store owned by Joshua Webman. Bringing out the best in the people she meets, she shows them the road down which their happiness lies. Combining ingenuity and sentiment, fantasy and realism, it is a consistently entertaining and often moving story. The acting of all involved is outstanding, especially Diane Cilento, Felix Aylmer, Jerry Desmonde, Joe Linnane, Philip Guard, Sheila Sweet, Edward Evans and Alfie Bass.

sweet

[Kirpianuscus · 14 August 2023]

One of films reminding me why I prefer old fashion ( to classic ) movies. A film about an angel fixing few lives in gentle, fair, precise manner. With lovely result.

Well acted, nice story, seductive details ( the musical boxes demonstration as a pure good point, like the Paradis lost by John Milton) , it is just a lovely film, sweet for suggestions, humor and...miracles. And for a pretty innocence, reflecting the univers of lost time and a special way to discover and assume the life.

Diane Cilento is just inspired option for the main role like the young Philip Guard. But the great contribution is proposed by Felix Aylmer as lonely Mr. Webman.

So, sweet sounds just fair to define it.

Derivative whimsy

[malcolmgsw · 5/10 · 3 May 2017]

This is is a very derivative film.Diane Cilento is sent to earth with a harp and has to beneficial affect the lives of the people she comes in contact with.The main recipient of her largess is Felix Aylmer,a Pembroke to whom she pawns her harp.I could think of about a dozen films made prior to this which have a similar basic premise.To be honest I found the most interesting part to be the introduction where the camera moves around The Angel Islington and we can see London as it was in 1953.The streets full of trolleybuses on their wires,being the successors to the trams.

Utterly Charming

[shozzas15 · 10/10 · 19 August 2017]

I don't do lists, but this may be the loveliest film I've ever seen. It grabbed me from the opening sequence, the camera sweeping over Islington while there is a distinctly odd, & oddly amusing conversation going on. At this point though you feel this film could go either way. But as soon as the angel appears at the pawnbrokers you know it's going to be good. Cilento is just perfect; innocent & wise at the same time, her beauty transcending sexuality. What followed was a small scale unpretentious masterpiece. There are caricatures & characters, some good performances, some excellent, some lovely comic touches (the drunken drummer confused as he exited the dance amused me inordinately). Possibly the only complaint was Aylmer's accent, which I think was meant to be Oi Vey Jewish but kept wandering across several ethnic possibilities. Apart from that his actual performance was excellent.

Are we supposed to take any of it seriously? Of course not. But there was a serious message at its core, something rather wonderful about things that really matter, something sometimes more effective for being told in a whimsical, light-hearted way.

It's the oldest & most important message ever. It's inherently implicit in every significant piece of art, literature & music - even if by it's absence. Love. Genuine transcendental love & compassion for all the human race, for all that lives & breathes. That quality suffused this modest little film, & it moved me immensely, far more than many big budget extravaganzas that hit you over the head trying to force a similar response. I adored it. I will treasure it till the day I (hopefully) acquire a harp of my own :-)

The Angel of Islington

[richardchatten · 8/10 · 10 December 2021]

The young Diane Cilento gives off a lovely glow in the title role of this good-natured Group 3 whimsy which became the first of a trio of 'kitchen sink' fantasies, the later pair comprising 'The Bespoke Overcoat' and 'A Kid for Two Farthings'.

All three feature David Kossoff and Alfie Bass, but this is the least overtly Jewish; although Felix Aylmer's kindly old pawnbroker recalls his 'Mr Emmanuel' of ten years earlier. (It's also interesting to see Jerry Desmonde playing the sort of bow-tied, fast-talking spiv usually associated with Ronald Shiner.)