A French Mistress (1960)

The boys of Melbury Primary School are plunged into turmoil when the new French Master turns out to be a Mistress! Madelin Leforge's (the French Mistress) effect on the boys is swift and ... See full summary »

Director:

Roy Boulting

Writers:

Sonnie Hale (play), Roy Boulting (screenplay),

Stars:

Cecil Parker, James Robertson Justice, Ian Bannen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cecil Parker	...	John Crane M.A. Headmaster of Melbury School
James Robertson Justice	...	Robert Martin / 'Bow Wow'
Ian Bannen	...	Colin Crane The Headmaster's Son
Agnès Laurent	...	Madeleine Lafarge - The French Mistress
Raymond Huntley	...	Rev. Edwin Peake
Irene Handl	...	Staff Sgt. Hodges
Edith Sharpe	...	Matron
Kenneth Griffith	...	Mr. Meade
Robert Bruce	...	Mr. Ramsay
Thorley Walters	...	Colonel Edmonds - Chairman of the Governors
Henry B. Longhurst	...	Second Governor (as Henry Longhurst)
Brian Oulton	...	Third Governor
Scott Finch	...	Edmonds - The Head Boy
Richard Palmer	...	Milsom
Peter Greenspan	...	Wigram

Storyline

The boys of Melbury Primary School are plunged into turmoil when the new French Master turns out to be a Mistress! Madelin Leforge's (the French Mistress) effect on the boys is swift and amazing. Suddenly everyone wants extra French Lessons just to glimpse the teacher in revealing shorts and bikinis. As discipline crumbles, a scandal explodes when the Head discovers the mademoiselle's mother was an old flame. Madeline must be dismissed to save further embarrassments. But the boys take strike action to stop this from happening in a breezy comedy with plenty of ooh la la!

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Plot Keywords:

school | boys' school | independent film | based on play

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Taglines:

The Boulting Brothers' riotous romp!

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 November 1961 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Das französische Fräulein

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charter Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Madeleine"
(uncredited)
Written by John Addison and Roy Boulting

User Reviews

One of my favourite rainy Sunday afternoon films

This used to be on TV quite often on weekends when I was younger. It never appears now because it's in b&w. It's a lovely gentle but cheeky comedy in the traditional of The Lavender Hill Mob and Passport to Pimlico, with many familiar faces, including James Robertson Justice and Cecil Parker. It has a rather racy proposition that appears part way through the film, which might have been quite shocking for audiences at the time and might still be shocking for some people today, if it were true.

The only casting issue is Ian Bannen as the romantic lead. A bit strange. But it still doesn't detract from this lovely little film which is a real joy.