The Best House in London (1969)

In Victorian London, the British Government attempts a solution to the problem of prostitution by establishing the world's most fabulous brothel.

Director:

Philip Saville

Writer:

Denis Norden

Stars:

David Hemmings, Joanna Pettet, George Sanders

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Hemmings	...	Benjamin Oakes / Walter Leybourne
Joanna Pettet	...	Josephine Pacefoot
George Sanders	...	Sir Francis Leybourne
Dany Robin	...	Babette
Warren Mitchell	...	Count Pandolfo
John Bird	...	Home Secretary
William Rushton	...	Sylvester Wall
Bill Fraser	...	Inspector MacPherson
Maurice Denham	...	Editor of 'The Times'
Wolfe Morris	...	Chinese Trade Attache
Martita Hunt	...	Headmistress
Arnold Diamond	...	Charles Dickens
Hugh Burden	...	Lord Tennyson
George Reynolds	...	Lord Alfred Douglas
Jan Holden	...	Lady Dilke

Storyline

In Victorian London, the British Government attempts a solution to the problem of prostitution by establishing the world's most fabulous brothel.

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Plot Keywords:

city name in title | historic figures as characters | london england | place name in title | female nudity

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Taglines:

From top to bottom ... it's the best place in town !

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

X

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

June 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

Aquela Casa em Londres

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bridge Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The last feature film of Martita Hunt.

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Connections

Referenced in The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart (1970)

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Soundtracks

"MY LITTLE PUSSY"
by Ronnie Cass and Peter Myers

User Reviews

Thoroughly enjoyable

Like a great deal of British comedy of the time, The Best House In London ends up degenerating into wacky silliness toward the end. But then, when you've referenced just about every other British literary genius and comic of the last two centuries, failing to give an enthusiastic nod and bow to the Goons would be rude. And rude just will not do.

Some may consider films such as these "bad", and theoretically I guess they'd be right. But if you're even a passing fan of the British comedy tradition, this movie brings together an intelligent and funny script by the brilliant Denis Norden, and a large cast of inspired and famous British comics. Its outrageous premise offers scope for first-class humour, great inter-textual pedantry, and witty social commentary. In the tradition of the Goons, the film is a biting and staggeringly funny indictment of Victorian moralism and piety, which was as apt in the post-war decades as it is in the politically-correct eco-religious world of today.

If you object to seeing middle-class hypocrisies (not to mention none-too-innocent maidens) skewered, don't see it. Otherwise, I can heartily recommend it.

If you're a fan of British humour, you need this in your collection, alongside the Goons, the Pink Panther, Blackadder, Monty Python, Spitting Image and the collected writings of Oscar Wilde, Spike Milligan and PG Wodehouse.

Grand stuff.