Half a Sixpence (1967)

Arthur Kipps, an orphan apprenticed to a tyrannical owner of a mercantile, has a sudden abrupt change of life when his wealthy grandfather dies and leaves him a pile of money.

Director:

George Sidney

Writers:

Beverley Cross (book), Beverley Cross (screenplay),

Stars:

Tommy Steele, Julia Foster, Cyril Ritchard

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tommy Steele	...	Arthur Kipps
Julia Foster	...	Ann
Cyril Ritchard	...	Harry Chitterlow
Penelope Horner	...	Helen
Elaine Taylor	...	Victoria
Grover Dale	...	Pearce
Hilton Edwards	...	Shalford
Julia Sutton	...	Flo
Leslie Meadows	...	Buggins
Sheila Falconer	...	Kate
Pamela Brown	...	Mrs. Washington
James Villiers	...	Hubert
Christopher Sandford	...	Sid
Jean Anderson	...	Lady Botting
Allan Cuthbertson	...	Wilkins

Storyline

Arthur Kipps, an orphan apprenticed to a tyrannical owner of a mercantile, has a sudden abrupt change of life when his wealthy grandfather dies and leaves him a pile of money.

---

Plot Keywords:

money in title | based on novel | based on play

---

Taglines:

It strolls... It struts... It razzles and it dazzles!

---

Genres:

Musical

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 June 1968 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

A Moedinha do Amor

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ameran Films, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

143 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) 70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints) Mono (35 mm optical prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Julia Foster's vocal double was Marti Webb, the actress who played Ann in the London version (and who appears in the London Cast album).

---

Goofs

In the song, "Money to Burn", where Kipps (Steele) is playing the banjo, it's obvious that he's simply playing along to an audio track. But the sound begins several times before he does the strumming to make it happen. This should have been watched/caught in the editing process.

---

Quotes

[Kipps's friends point out that they can't drink champagne in the shop]
Kipps: Oh, Hang the shop!
The others: Hang the shop?
Kipps: Hang the shop, and hang old Shalford!
Mr. Shalford: [appearing behind Kipps] Kipps! That's it! Once more I said and that's it. Well, that is it. You're done for, Kipps. Finished! Sacked!
Kipps: [turning to face Shalford] Watch it, Shalford!
Mr. Shalford: What?
Kipps: I said, you just watch it. You can't sack me. Do you know why? I've just resigned. Right here and now, this minute, resigned. So you act civil, an... and you act ...

---

Connections

Featured in The 100 Greatest Musicals (2003)

---

Soundtracks

"I'M NOT TALKING TO YOU"
Performed by Tommy Steele and apprentices

User Reviews

Dazzling British Musical

I "accidentally" discovered HALF A SIXPENCE during 1979 on the late movie on NYC's Channel 5. I turned it on just before the "Half a Sixpence" number between Tommy Steele and Julia Foster. I didn't get to see it all, but years later it was shown on the Disney Channel. What a great movie! Great choreography (Gillian Lynne of CATS fame), charming actors playing the leads, and all that beautiful on-location photography in England! Tommy Steele sets the screen on fire when he lets loose in a dance number, and his star turn in the role of a simple lad who gets too rich too quickly and ends up miserable is believable and touching. Julia Foster is by turns sweet, vulnerable, AND feisty as his love interest, Ann.

The film (based on the London/Bdwy stage show and directed by movie-musical veteran George Sidney) has the look and feel of an old-fashioned MGM musical, which is probably why I loved it so. It seems to be more widely known in the UK - I believe it was more popular there than in the States at the time of its release, and perhaps it gets more TV airings in the UK? It's just too bad that it's not seen more often and appreciated as it deserves.