Girly (1970)
"Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly" (original title)

A wealthy, fatherless British clan kidnaps bums and hippies and forces them to participate in an elaborate role-playing game in which they are the perfect family; those who refuse or attempt escape are ritualistically murdered.

Director:

Freddie Francis

Writers:

Brian Comport (screenplay), Maisie Mosco (play)

Stars:

Michael Bryant, Ursula Howells, Pat Heywood

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Bryant	...	New Friend
Ursula Howells	...	Mumsy
Pat Heywood	...	Nanny
Howard Trevor	...	Sonny
Vanessa Howard	...	Girly
Robert Swann	...	Soldier
Imogen Hassall	...	Girlfriend
Michael Ripper	...	Zoo attendant
Hugh Armstrong	...	Friend in No. 5

Storyline

Sexy, teenaged, immature Girly and her camera-wielding brother Sonny bring home unsuspecting men to Mumsy and Nanny, where they play games, and if they don't follow the rules, they're sent to the angels. One day they bring home a New Friend who has a few ideas for games of his own, though, and he begins to turn the foursome against each other.

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Plot Keywords:

nanny | rules | buried in sand | school uniform | knitting | 

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Taglines:

Everyone is dying to meet girly.....

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Horror

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1970 (USA)

Also Known As:

Girly

Filming Locations:

London Zoo, Regent's Park, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Brigitte, Fitzroy Films Ltd., Ronald J. Kahn Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the play "Happy Family." Director Freddie Francis specifically asked screenwriter Brian Comport to write a story built around Oakley Court, the house where the movie was filmed. Comport and Francis found "Happy Family" to be a good jumping-off point for the story, but neither one actually liked the play. The movie only retains the four principal characters' names and the idea that they bring men home to participate in a role-playing game.

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Quotes

Girly: Nasty Nanny is no good! Chop her up for fire wood! When she's dead, boil her head, make it into gingerbread!

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Connections

Referenced in Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)

User Reviews

Vanessa Howard Is A Treat

Fans of British horror and black comedy should definitely track down this Freddie Francis film, which was not imaginatively marketed at the time of its release and was never able to connect with its proper audience. I saw this at the base theatre during my Air Force days. Films on base only ran for only one day (three shows) and this was one of a handful that drew capacity crowds to the second and third shows due to "word of mouth" praise by those who attended the first screening.

Originally titled "Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly", the title was shortened to just "Girly", appropriate since Girly is the main character. It is definitely a product of its times. Imagine mixing "The Beguiled" with the television shows "The Avengers" and "The Prisoner". Francis was primarily a television director.

Like those shows, much of the humor comes from presenting extreme characters and situations as if there they are nothing exceptional. In this case a nutty family of four (insert original title here) which includes a brother and sister far to old for their school uniforms.

Vanessa Howard plays the title character with a lot of sizzle and will remind viewers of Tisha Sterling, especially Sterling's portrayal of Ma Parker's daughter Legs on the Batman television show. She has a lot of fun with this role alternating instantly between playful child, coquettish flirt, and violent psychopath. Howard is a genuinely fine actress, although in "Girly" her short skirts and provocative scripting make it hard to concentrate on her acting skills.

This happy family lives on a large estate just outside London and amuse themselves by luring men there to serve as the children's playmates in various games supervised by Mumsy (Ursula Howells) and Nanny (Pat Heywood). When these new friends outlive their usefulness they are dispatched in novel ways and "sent to the angels". The last new friend believes himself a murderer and in time actually wants to become part the family, or anything else involving Girly. This sets things up for a cute twist at the end as Francis examines the fragility of sanity.

The best scene is a slick little seduction sequence around the pool table. As the new friend looks on Howard places a doll in each pocket and calmly circles the table, driving a ball into each doll's face. At the same time she keeps up a monologue about the punishment her playmate will receive if he should try to leave. Very cool.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.