A very black horror comedy from Hammer favourite Freddie Francis. Mumsy and Nanny live with Mumsy's children, Sonny and Girly, in a neo Gothic mansion. This dysfunctional family love their children's games which are mostly conducted in strange baby talk. Sonny and Girly also have another game they love to play, they coax young men back to the house to join the fun, then when they tire of their new 'playmates' they kill them. However their latest 'friend' has a few tricks of his own up his sleeve. He realises the best way to survive is to divide and conquer, he does this by sleeping with all the women. Filmed in the familiar and instantly recognisable Oakley Court (a fixture of many British horror films including The Old Dark House and Monster Of Terror) this rare British horror film stars Ursula Howells, Pat Heywood, Howard Trevor and the excellent Vannessa Howard as the titular family, with Michael Bryant as the disruptive 'new friend'. It also features the beautiful but ultimately tragic Imogen Hassall, a classically trained actress who could never quite shake off her glamour girl reputation and committed suicide aged 38 in 1980. The film starts with Sonny and Girly meeting a homeless man, Soldier, on a park bench. They take him home and dress him as a schoolboy and feed him jelly for tea. When they tire of him they chop off his head during a game of 'Oranges And Lemons'. But when they bring 'new friend' home the family starts to turn on itself (Nanny's head ends up in a pot on the stove). I was reminded of both Spider Baby and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre at times. Although the cast is more than adequate it is Vanessa Howard who stands out as Girly (the title was shortened to just 'Girly' in the U.S.) Although once thought lost the film is now in the public domain and I've just ordered a new DVD to replace my old VHS copy. Well worth tracking down. 7/10
37 Reviews
A very black horror comedy from Hammer favourite Freddie Francis.
UnholyOne24 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
lastliberal3 October 2010
If you like your comedy with a decidedly quirky bent, then this is a film for you.
Vanessa Howard is splendid as Girly, an obvious twenty-something that dresses and acts like a twelve year old schoolgirl.
She lives with her brother, and mother, and nanny, and they are all certifiably bat-shite crazy.
They two "children" lure homeless and hippies to the old crumbling mansion where they play "games." They must unquestionably participate or they are "sent to the angels," if you get my drift.
The new friend (Michael Bryant) plots to turn the four of them against each other until he can find a way to escape.
Director Freddie Francis won two Oscars for cinematography (Glory, Sons and Lovers) after directing many horror movies.
Vanessa Howard is splendid as Girly, an obvious twenty-something that dresses and acts like a twelve year old schoolgirl.
She lives with her brother, and mother, and nanny, and they are all certifiably bat-shite crazy.
They two "children" lure homeless and hippies to the old crumbling mansion where they play "games." They must unquestionably participate or they are "sent to the angels," if you get my drift.
The new friend (Michael Bryant) plots to turn the four of them against each other until he can find a way to escape.
Director Freddie Francis won two Oscars for cinematography (Glory, Sons and Lovers) after directing many horror movies.
'Nasty Nanny is no good, Chop her up for firewood, When she's dead, boil her head...'
TheFinalAlias21 September 2009
Warning: Spoilers
After reviewing 'The Whip & The Body' & 'House of Long Shadows', and because I've already covered the ultimate 'Family' horror film('Texas Chainsaw Massacre')and my 'Pink Flamingos' review was inevitable anyway, I decided to go a bit more esoteric and review this obscure film from director Freddie Francis(which has been sitting on my shelf for ages unwatched) as a sort of marathon of films featuring murderous, twisted families. I've always considered Francis one of the most underrated horror directors, and I always speculated that the reason for his detractor's venom, besides his infamous distaste for the genre; was because his films were often very accessible to mainstream audiences and mostly(Key word being mostly, 'The Ghoul', which I will also review for this 'Family Un-Friendly' marathon; is one of the bleakest bits of celluloid I have ever seen)meant to be 'fun films' like a carnival spook-house, and as his Amicus anthology films showed, he had a wry sense of humor. 'Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly' is fun, it is humorous, and it is wry; but it is anything but 'acessible'.
The film follows the exploits of an unnamed aristocratic family in '60's London who are led by an aging, but kindly(so far...)mother(Mumsy), a doting nanny(Do I have to explain here?) and two happy, life-loving siblings who love to skip around, harass zoo animals and the gruff attendant(a cameo by Michael Ripper; the British Dick Miller) and search for new friends among the disenfranchised(Sonny & Girly). These people sure are not like the Addams Family or The Munsters, or even TCM's Sawyer clan. There are no hulking butlers, vampirish femme fatales or dark clothing here, no abusive patriarchs or glaring portraits of great-Uncle Hugo either; All smile, speak in sappily cloying voices and compliment each other and giggle.
This would all seem perfectly ideal, if not for the fact that Sonny & Girly are in their early twenties and we never see Mumsy or Nanny, just hear their voices. And this is only just the first sign of something being not quite right. Francis does an excellent job building tension in these slowly paced early scenes, as we get a creeping sense of uneasiness. It all works amazingly well until we find out the truth: Sonny & Girly love to torment their 'friends', but not the way children normally do; after all, these are both adults here. No, they love to torment them, but if the 'friend' does not fully cooperate, then they die, and move on to new 'friends'. And after disposing of a homeless vet, the 'dears'(as Mumsy calls them)blackmail a drunken, middle-aged socialite after he accidentally kills his girlfriend on a slide into being their new 'friend' and bringing them pleasure...or else, and soon, Mumsy(An attractive middle-aged woman) finds new ways of using our protagonist to bring her pleasure as well, if you get what I mean, and soon, spinsterly Nanny finds herself wanting some of that pleasure as well...
Didn't I say this family was nothing like The Munsters, Addams or Sawyers? I was right, those families were well-adjusted compared to this brood. And it only gets worse when Girly interprets a rape by our protagonist(I hesitate to use the word 'hero', as not only is rape a horrible act whoever the victim is, but it steadily becomes apparent that he identifies with the family more than he lets on, which leads to a genuinely disturbing climax)as an act of love.
Francis does a great job weaving this twisted tale, the cinematography(his greatest strength)isn't as up to par as usual, but he more than makes up for it with his directorial flourishes, changing the film from a Not-quite-right day-in-the-life piece, to a 'Kind Hearts & Coronets'-style black comedy, to a genuinely disturbing and unpleasant drama. He also elicits great performances by the entire cast, particularly Vanessa Howard as Girly, and manages to make us experience every feeling of the protagonist, even though he is a character we don't particularly come to like, we still care about him.
The film is also a remarkable study of gender politics; for example, the entire film is driven by strong-willed, and deranged women, and all the male figures are weak. Even the homicidal, conniving Sonny is ultimately a pawn done away with as easily as his victims, our protagonist, on the other hand; the closest thing to a heroic, ideal male figure that the film has, is not only driven to the clutches of Girly by trying to escape his nagging, controlling girlfriend, but is controlled by her even after death as the guilt of his killing of her and fear of exposure is what keeps him at bay. Even when he becomes a bone of contention between the 3 females, he still remains a captive. The implications of the ending; as he gives in to his captivity at the hands of his two beautiful jailers even though he has the perfect opportunity to escape, is truly disturbing, he will never be free of nagging, bitchy, women, and now, ensnared, has given up all hope and decides to enjoy it. It is the myth of the succubus in a non-supernatural form, and quite possibly, given that there is no backstory to explain any of this, a supernatural explanation could reasonably be inferred. This makes this film either one of the most sexist films ever made, or one of the most intelligent films about warped sexuality ever made.
This debate is probably what will continue to fuel the cult following this obscure film increasingly enjoys.~
The film follows the exploits of an unnamed aristocratic family in '60's London who are led by an aging, but kindly(so far...)mother(Mumsy), a doting nanny(Do I have to explain here?) and two happy, life-loving siblings who love to skip around, harass zoo animals and the gruff attendant(a cameo by Michael Ripper; the British Dick Miller) and search for new friends among the disenfranchised(Sonny & Girly). These people sure are not like the Addams Family or The Munsters, or even TCM's Sawyer clan. There are no hulking butlers, vampirish femme fatales or dark clothing here, no abusive patriarchs or glaring portraits of great-Uncle Hugo either; All smile, speak in sappily cloying voices and compliment each other and giggle.
This would all seem perfectly ideal, if not for the fact that Sonny & Girly are in their early twenties and we never see Mumsy or Nanny, just hear their voices. And this is only just the first sign of something being not quite right. Francis does an excellent job building tension in these slowly paced early scenes, as we get a creeping sense of uneasiness. It all works amazingly well until we find out the truth: Sonny & Girly love to torment their 'friends', but not the way children normally do; after all, these are both adults here. No, they love to torment them, but if the 'friend' does not fully cooperate, then they die, and move on to new 'friends'. And after disposing of a homeless vet, the 'dears'(as Mumsy calls them)blackmail a drunken, middle-aged socialite after he accidentally kills his girlfriend on a slide into being their new 'friend' and bringing them pleasure...or else, and soon, Mumsy(An attractive middle-aged woman) finds new ways of using our protagonist to bring her pleasure as well, if you get what I mean, and soon, spinsterly Nanny finds herself wanting some of that pleasure as well...
Didn't I say this family was nothing like The Munsters, Addams or Sawyers? I was right, those families were well-adjusted compared to this brood. And it only gets worse when Girly interprets a rape by our protagonist(I hesitate to use the word 'hero', as not only is rape a horrible act whoever the victim is, but it steadily becomes apparent that he identifies with the family more than he lets on, which leads to a genuinely disturbing climax)as an act of love.
Francis does a great job weaving this twisted tale, the cinematography(his greatest strength)isn't as up to par as usual, but he more than makes up for it with his directorial flourishes, changing the film from a Not-quite-right day-in-the-life piece, to a 'Kind Hearts & Coronets'-style black comedy, to a genuinely disturbing and unpleasant drama. He also elicits great performances by the entire cast, particularly Vanessa Howard as Girly, and manages to make us experience every feeling of the protagonist, even though he is a character we don't particularly come to like, we still care about him.
The film is also a remarkable study of gender politics; for example, the entire film is driven by strong-willed, and deranged women, and all the male figures are weak. Even the homicidal, conniving Sonny is ultimately a pawn done away with as easily as his victims, our protagonist, on the other hand; the closest thing to a heroic, ideal male figure that the film has, is not only driven to the clutches of Girly by trying to escape his nagging, controlling girlfriend, but is controlled by her even after death as the guilt of his killing of her and fear of exposure is what keeps him at bay. Even when he becomes a bone of contention between the 3 females, he still remains a captive. The implications of the ending; as he gives in to his captivity at the hands of his two beautiful jailers even though he has the perfect opportunity to escape, is truly disturbing, he will never be free of nagging, bitchy, women, and now, ensnared, has given up all hope and decides to enjoy it. It is the myth of the succubus in a non-supernatural form, and quite possibly, given that there is no backstory to explain any of this, a supernatural explanation could reasonably be inferred. This makes this film either one of the most sexist films ever made, or one of the most intelligent films about warped sexuality ever made.
This debate is probably what will continue to fuel the cult following this obscure film increasingly enjoys.~
Disturbing... but fun...
henr8y3 November 2000
Wow, what can I say. This film was made from an old English play and, to say the least, what kind of sick mind could write something like this? I LOVE IT!!! A twisted family without a father figure lives secluded in an extremely large lot with a mansion to live in. It never tells how they make money or buy groceries, but those are insignificant. There's Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly who all live a happy (crazy) life. Luring homeless men to the mansion to be playmates for the children and if they step-out-of-line, WHACK, they are sent on a "train to the angels." The funniest thing about this movie, I think, is the Siamese Anthem.
Once Lost British Horror is Found... and is Lovely!
gavin69427 October 2010
Girly (Vanessa Howard), a fetching but evil-minded schoolgirl, shares a dark hobby with her oddball household: she lures unsuspecting men to their mansion on the outskirts of London, then engages them in "games" that inevitably end in their deaths. The horrific family project runs smoothly until Girly brings home a new friend (Michael Bryant) who's operating under his own set of rules. Soon, he turns the entire household upside-down.
Allegedly, "the film is a dark and playful allegory of the breakdown of the nuclear family of the 1950s as a result of the free love movement of the 1960s." How exactly this critique came about is unknown to me. I guess I didn't see any such thing in the story, but I did not personally ask the writer what his motivation was.
The film was admirably handled, lead by director Freddie Francis, known for his work with Amicus and Hammer. If you're going to make a memorable British horror film, these are the studios you want and the man you want to do it.
What I found interesting was the unusual use of sexual seduction: is the woman an adult or a child? Clearly, she is in her early twenties. But her mindset is that of a child. Are her seductions of a woman or a child? This ambiguity makes what could be simple a risqué sexual liaison into a potential taboo.
Absolutely under-appreciated and unknown film that deserves a Renaissance. Please, please, please do yourself a favor and rent this from Netflix.
Allegedly, "the film is a dark and playful allegory of the breakdown of the nuclear family of the 1950s as a result of the free love movement of the 1960s." How exactly this critique came about is unknown to me. I guess I didn't see any such thing in the story, but I did not personally ask the writer what his motivation was.
The film was admirably handled, lead by director Freddie Francis, known for his work with Amicus and Hammer. If you're going to make a memorable British horror film, these are the studios you want and the man you want to do it.
What I found interesting was the unusual use of sexual seduction: is the woman an adult or a child? Clearly, she is in her early twenties. But her mindset is that of a child. Are her seductions of a woman or a child? This ambiguity makes what could be simple a risqué sexual liaison into a potential taboo.
Absolutely under-appreciated and unknown film that deserves a Renaissance. Please, please, please do yourself a favor and rent this from Netflix.
Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly review
JoeytheBrit3 July 2020
Bizarre, vaguely hysterical horror that sank without a trace when it was released in 1970, but has since acquired cult status. A sexually provocative 22-year-old Vanessa Howard in school uniform and short skirt dominates the film as the wilful teenage girl with the mannerisms of a small child who, with her equally strange brother, lures vagrants to their stately home where they are forced to play their part in their hugely skewed version of the family unit. The stylised acting of the family members grates a little at first, but things take a dark turn for the better when their latest victim contrives to turn them against one another.
Amazing!
BandSAboutMovies1 November 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Known as Girly outside of the UK, this movie was the dream project of cinematographer-turned-director (turned cinematographer) Freddie Francis. He wanted a movie that he had complete creative control over, so he worked with writer Brian Comport to build the movie around Oakley Court. The film is based on the two-act play Happy Family by Maisie Mosco, which Comport had novelized as Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly.
Mumsy (Ursula Howells), Nanny (Pat Heywood), Sonny (Howard Trevor) and Girly (Vanessa Howard) have turned their lives into an elaborate role-playing game they call The Game. The rules aren't really clear, been if the first one is to play the game. They live in a secluded house in the countryside and Girly lures in men who are dressed as schoolboys and forced to play as New Friends. If they refuse, they are sent to the angels in playground games that are turned into killing rituals and captured by Sonny on camera so that the family can enjoy the snuff films that result.
Girly and Sonny attend a party in London where a prostitute (Michael Bryant) is attracted to her. He talks his client (Imogen Hassall) into following them to a playground. He's so drunk he thinks that he's killed the woman when it was really Girly and Sonny. They make him play The Game and keep her body, using it to remind him that they could get him arrested at any moment.
Mumsy makes it known that she wants to have sex with the New Friend, as he is now known, so he turns the family against itself by sleeping with both her and Girly. Sonny tries to kill the New Friend before Girly kills him. Now, New Friend must bury Sonny under a fountain where he sees just how many New Friends have been killed. Nanny tries to kill Mumsy, only for Girly to kill her as well and use her head for cooking stock.
Mumsy and Girly decide to share New Friend, setting a schedule for days of the week that they can sleep with him. However, they will surely get bored of him. He already has a plan for that.
Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly was released as Britain had a backlash against indecency and sexuality in movies. There's a moment where Girly sucks Sonny's finger that really upset censors. If they'd only seen the play, where the incest isn't suggested but shown, they would have freaked. That's the scene, however, that everyone talked about. It didn't help that this played double features with Goodbye Gemini, another movie about murderous siblings, but one that has even more brother obsessing over sister sexual content.
The film disappeared after its failure and as a result, Vanessa Howard retired. She didn't know for a long time that the film did much better in the U. S. where it was retitled Girly. It came out on VHS in the U. S. but UK fans couldn't even find a copy for a Freddie Francis festival in 2004. It took until 2010 for Salvation Films to release it there on DVD.
I love that in 2015, an event was held at Oakley Court to pay tribute to Vanessa Howard and Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly. There was the dedication of a memorial bench in Howard's memory, a trip to some of the film's shooting locations,and a dinner themed around the Family's meal with New Friend.
This remained one of Francis' favorite movies.
Mumsy (Ursula Howells), Nanny (Pat Heywood), Sonny (Howard Trevor) and Girly (Vanessa Howard) have turned their lives into an elaborate role-playing game they call The Game. The rules aren't really clear, been if the first one is to play the game. They live in a secluded house in the countryside and Girly lures in men who are dressed as schoolboys and forced to play as New Friends. If they refuse, they are sent to the angels in playground games that are turned into killing rituals and captured by Sonny on camera so that the family can enjoy the snuff films that result.
Girly and Sonny attend a party in London where a prostitute (Michael Bryant) is attracted to her. He talks his client (Imogen Hassall) into following them to a playground. He's so drunk he thinks that he's killed the woman when it was really Girly and Sonny. They make him play The Game and keep her body, using it to remind him that they could get him arrested at any moment.
Mumsy makes it known that she wants to have sex with the New Friend, as he is now known, so he turns the family against itself by sleeping with both her and Girly. Sonny tries to kill the New Friend before Girly kills him. Now, New Friend must bury Sonny under a fountain where he sees just how many New Friends have been killed. Nanny tries to kill Mumsy, only for Girly to kill her as well and use her head for cooking stock.
Mumsy and Girly decide to share New Friend, setting a schedule for days of the week that they can sleep with him. However, they will surely get bored of him. He already has a plan for that.
Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly was released as Britain had a backlash against indecency and sexuality in movies. There's a moment where Girly sucks Sonny's finger that really upset censors. If they'd only seen the play, where the incest isn't suggested but shown, they would have freaked. That's the scene, however, that everyone talked about. It didn't help that this played double features with Goodbye Gemini, another movie about murderous siblings, but one that has even more brother obsessing over sister sexual content.
The film disappeared after its failure and as a result, Vanessa Howard retired. She didn't know for a long time that the film did much better in the U. S. where it was retitled Girly. It came out on VHS in the U. S. but UK fans couldn't even find a copy for a Freddie Francis festival in 2004. It took until 2010 for Salvation Films to release it there on DVD.
I love that in 2015, an event was held at Oakley Court to pay tribute to Vanessa Howard and Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly. There was the dedication of a memorial bench in Howard's memory, a trip to some of the film's shooting locations,and a dinner themed around the Family's meal with New Friend.
This remained one of Francis' favorite movies.
You better obey the rules
AAdaSC5 March 2017
Vanessa Howard (Girly) and Howard Trevor (Sonny) live with Ursula Howells (Mumsy) and Pat Heywood (Nanny) in a walled off large house. Howard and Trevor go in search of friends to play with and bring them back to the house. There is a main thing going on here – they are mad. Everyone in the house is mad. If the guests don't obey rules, there are serious consequences.
This film is creepy and stays with you after it has finished. It's disturbing but thankfully doesn't dwell on gore so it scores points for that. Violent acts are carried out but not shown graphically, some not shown at all. Thank goodness. There is no doubt that all four characters – mumsy, nanny, sonny and girly – are unhinged.
I used to have no problem with the idea that rules are there for being broken but after watching this, I think the best thing to do is obey in some circumstances. The ending of the film is not completely resolved – you are left to imagine what happens next.
This film is creepy and stays with you after it has finished. It's disturbing but thankfully doesn't dwell on gore so it scores points for that. Violent acts are carried out but not shown graphically, some not shown at all. Thank goodness. There is no doubt that all four characters – mumsy, nanny, sonny and girly – are unhinged.
I used to have no problem with the idea that rules are there for being broken but after watching this, I think the best thing to do is obey in some circumstances. The ending of the film is not completely resolved – you are left to imagine what happens next.
Vanessa Howard Is A Treat
aimless-4625 November 2005
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. Most films on base only ran for 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. If you liked Jack Hill's "Spider Baby" (1968) you will love this film as it appears to have served as Francis' inspiration.
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.
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.
Making new demented friends .............
merklekranz2 August 2010
Ripe with sexual teasing, an obviously deranged family lures unsuspecting men to their estate. Once ensnared inside, they are subjected to humiliation as playthings for the children. Not a total disaster, but more a curiosity, "Girly" becomes somewhat redundant and ultimately tiresome. Basically the story involves the latest victim turning the bizarre family members against each other, in an attempt to outwit the nitwits. Small occurrences of black comedy sometimes pop up, but are mostly lost in the odd goings on. The acting is acceptable, but this is a very claustrophobic film, and it's origin as a play is rather obvious throughout. - MERK
Wonderful black comedy.
HumanoidOfFlesh20 October 2009
"Mumsy,Nanny,Sonny and Girly" is a dark 1969 British horror-comedy which is based on a stage play by Maisie Mosco entitled "Happy Family".The main characters of the film are the members of a wealthy British family whose names are synonymous with their roles within the family:the mother called Mumsy,the maid called Nanny,the son called Sonny and the daughter called Girly.Despite being in their twenties Sonny and Girly act like prepubescent children,dressing in British school uniforms and sleeping in giant cribs in a room full of toys.Sonny and Girly regularly seek out male loners,hobos and hippies to lure back to their house,where they are then forced to play "The Game".When the "new friends" refuse to participate they are murdered or "sent to the angels".Freddie Francis's "Girly" is a fantastic film which faded into obscurity too quickly.During a 2004 Freddie Francis film festival in England, the organizers struggled to find a VHS copy of the film to screen, but couldn't come up with one and it was briefly thought to be lost to the public,until copies began to surface on the internet in 2004.The acting is solid and there is enough creepy moments to satisfy any self-respecting horror fan.8 out of 10.
watch out for the sandpit, or you will go to the angels
trashgang4 April 2012
British cult flick that took a while to have a good release. Finally after 40 years it's available on DVD. It's based on an old English play about a family without a father living in a mansion seducing lonely men to bring them home to be playthings for the children. You better follow their play or girly will get angry.
It was directed by British horror veteran Freddie Francis (The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) or Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)) but still it was overlooked by the Brits even as it had a glowing review in Variety and had a limited US release. It suffered poor sales at the theaters and the distributor decided to stop promoting it. It got an extremely limited VHS release and once VHS was over it vanished into obscurity. But this flick is a perfect example that the internet could save a flick or bring it back on surface. In 2004 suddenly horror freaks copied it from VHS to DVD and a cult flick was back their on specialized sites, 6 years later it had it's official DVD release.
Is it worth watching, well, it's slow but that's the nature of the time being. It is even low on red stuff and there's a lot of talking. The actors are of course all British and some made it into the scene like Pat Heywood (Nanny) moving further to 10 Rillington Place (1971) or Michael Bryant going to Ghandi (1982). Howard Trevor (Sonny) only made it in two flicks as Vanessa Howard (Girly) only acted until 1973.
Typical British acting, with posh English language, clocks in over 90 minutes and did survive the time because you still want to know what is going to happen to the family.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 3/5 Coedy 0/5
It was directed by British horror veteran Freddie Francis (The Evil of Frankenstein (1964) or Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968)) but still it was overlooked by the Brits even as it had a glowing review in Variety and had a limited US release. It suffered poor sales at the theaters and the distributor decided to stop promoting it. It got an extremely limited VHS release and once VHS was over it vanished into obscurity. But this flick is a perfect example that the internet could save a flick or bring it back on surface. In 2004 suddenly horror freaks copied it from VHS to DVD and a cult flick was back their on specialized sites, 6 years later it had it's official DVD release.
Is it worth watching, well, it's slow but that's the nature of the time being. It is even low on red stuff and there's a lot of talking. The actors are of course all British and some made it into the scene like Pat Heywood (Nanny) moving further to 10 Rillington Place (1971) or Michael Bryant going to Ghandi (1982). Howard Trevor (Sonny) only made it in two flicks as Vanessa Howard (Girly) only acted until 1973.
Typical British acting, with posh English language, clocks in over 90 minutes and did survive the time because you still want to know what is going to happen to the family.
Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 0/5 Story 3/5 Coedy 0/5
Deliciously mean spirited and morbidly comical British offering
EyeAskance28 May 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Mumsy and Nanny have RULES.
...this applies to "the children" as well as the playmates they bring home...hapless unfortunates lured to the family's sprawling estate, where etiquette and proper grammar facade some very grisly goings on-- fun and games, wherein "playmates" become "slaymates" at the hands of Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly. A wonderfully grim jab to the funny bone, this droll little shocker deserves a more prominent spot in the annals of cult cinema. Performances are A+ all the way around, especially from the juvenile leads, and the direction and camera-work are meritorious.
Catch this one wherever possible, above-average(and decidedly VERY British)lunacy you don't want to miss.
7.5/10
...this applies to "the children" as well as the playmates they bring home...hapless unfortunates lured to the family's sprawling estate, where etiquette and proper grammar facade some very grisly goings on-- fun and games, wherein "playmates" become "slaymates" at the hands of Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly. A wonderfully grim jab to the funny bone, this droll little shocker deserves a more prominent spot in the annals of cult cinema. Performances are A+ all the way around, especially from the juvenile leads, and the direction and camera-work are meritorious.
Catch this one wherever possible, above-average(and decidedly VERY British)lunacy you don't want to miss.
7.5/10
SURPRISE BLACK COMEDY FROM THE U.K.!
shepardjessica-119 October 2004
I saw this on release (at age 17 or 18) and it reminded me of NOTHING. A year later, SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE reminded me of this cool, sinister and hilarious dark comedy from the British Isles. Vanessa Howard (don't know much about her) is prime psycho, post-nubile, upbeat girl and the rest of her family - Sonny, Mumsy, Nanny and all their unwilling and baffled friends make for a tasty stew of late 60's/early 70's pseudo-art..I believe.
A 7 out of 10. Best performance = Vanessa Howard. This film is tough to find on VHS and I don't think it's on DVD, but seek it out if you like clean black humor from England, with teasing, death, witty dialogue and a cast that's born for the task.
A 7 out of 10. Best performance = Vanessa Howard. This film is tough to find on VHS and I don't think it's on DVD, but seek it out if you like clean black humor from England, with teasing, death, witty dialogue and a cast that's born for the task.
OK black comedy
preppy-33 October 2014
Film about a family of psychopaths. There's Mumsy (the mother), her two children Sonny and Girly (who are in the 20s but act like 13 year olds) and Nanny. They live in a huge old estate in a remote part of England. Every once in a while Sonny and Girly go out and bring home a "friend" they just met. Then they insist their friend plays childish, sadistic games with them. If he doesn't they kill him. However they bring home one guy who's going to fight back.
So-so movie. It's well-directed and all the acting is great but it seems to keep pulling its punches. It doesn't go far enough. The games are vicious but not too vicious and the sexual activity is all off screen. There's no sex, nudity, blood or violence in this one. Also if you really think about it there's huge plot holes in it. So it's not bad but it's too timid in its approach.
This was considered a lost film for many years until a print was discovered in 2004 and it was restored. It does have a cult following but that's mostly because of its director--Freddie Francis.
So-so movie. It's well-directed and all the acting is great but it seems to keep pulling its punches. It doesn't go far enough. The games are vicious but not too vicious and the sexual activity is all off screen. There's no sex, nudity, blood or violence in this one. Also if you really think about it there's huge plot holes in it. So it's not bad but it's too timid in its approach.
This was considered a lost film for many years until a print was discovered in 2004 and it was restored. It does have a cult following but that's mostly because of its director--Freddie Francis.
Criminally Unknown
allagesyoga3 February 2022
This is one of my favorite movies of all time, and Freddie Francis says it was his best. It was immediately banned, despite being quite low on gore, and without nudity. So what was so objectionable?
Well, it just happens to be a brutal skewering of British culture, from the family unit straight on up through the concept of the British empire. It's brilliant.
Well, it just happens to be a brutal skewering of British culture, from the family unit straight on up through the concept of the British empire. It's brilliant.
I Remember Having a Blast with this as a Teenager
Tahhh23 April 2007
I saw this film in the theaters when I was a kid of 15 or 16 or so, and I remember that my friends and I just loved making one another laugh by quoting from it.
And if you're a kid of 15 or 16, I think you'll like this silly film for exactly the same reasons I did when I was that age.
However, it's a very, very dopey little movie, and while I think I'd like to see it again, just to see if there WAS anything to it, back then, I seriously doubt that there was anything substantial to it.
Still--there's a place for guilty pleasures on anybody's movie shelf, and I can think of far worse things you might include on your list of guilty pleasures.
It's junk-food, though--and I think even WE knew that, when our gang of noisy teenagers decided to go see it, all those many years ago...good for nyuk-nyuk-nyuk laughter and acting out scenes from it for hilarity later on...but nothing more.
And if you're a kid of 15 or 16, I think you'll like this silly film for exactly the same reasons I did when I was that age.
However, it's a very, very dopey little movie, and while I think I'd like to see it again, just to see if there WAS anything to it, back then, I seriously doubt that there was anything substantial to it.
Still--there's a place for guilty pleasures on anybody's movie shelf, and I can think of far worse things you might include on your list of guilty pleasures.
It's junk-food, though--and I think even WE knew that, when our gang of noisy teenagers decided to go see it, all those many years ago...good for nyuk-nyuk-nyuk laughter and acting out scenes from it for hilarity later on...but nothing more.
Creepy madness!!!
frightfan3 July 1999
Understated British psychodrama with no effects to speak of, just lots of creepy dialogue, tension and madness - not even any nudity and only implied sex, very little at that. Twisted little tale of a mad little "family" that will engross, humour, disgust and terrify you. Mmmm .... yummy.
"We're a happy family".
lost-in-limbo4 July 2010
Oh the British have an odd sense of humour and "Girly" aka "Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly" is an excellently audacious combination of distorted black humour and macabre horror capped off in a very mannered approach. It's twisted! Deliciously warped and strangely unique, as the compelling story pulls you in and never let you get truly comfortable because of its beaming cruel streak and teasingly sexual seduction. It's like some happy-shinny family drama, but under that make-up its lunacy gone mad in what is a deeply disturbed, but very united family.
Two sibling children Girly and Sonny go out looking for new friends to play games with and they would bring them back home to meet their caretaker the Nanny and their Mumsy. However there's something dangerously eccentric about this family and their new friend learns he might just have to follow their rules and play their games while scheming some sort of plan if he has any chance of getting out of this nightmare alive.
Prolific British horror director Freddie Francis lets it slowly unwind in a large remote Victorian mansion estate, but this only makes the atmosphere even more jarring and disquieting with its playful jolts and character manipulations. The cheeky script is a treat on words, astute and sharp with plenty of innuendo. There's an outstanding array of character performances led largely by the ever-sultry Vanessa Howard as the miniskirt wearing Girly. A solid Michael Bryant brings the right temperament to balance out the insanity, as the new friend or better put a playmate for the children but also the for ladies of the house. He learns the only way to really dig himself out is to be playing the games and following the rules, but in a cunning manner. So the toy begins to toy around. This whole nature makes it quite unpredictable. Ursula Howells is superb, with a slightly unsettling air to her proudly calm Mumsy figure. Howard Trevor brings edginess to his troublesome Sonny character and Pat Heywood is good as Nanny. Also showing up in a minor role is Hammer regular Michael Ripper.
A crudely sinister, but highly amusing and imaginative black horror comedy curiosity.
Two sibling children Girly and Sonny go out looking for new friends to play games with and they would bring them back home to meet their caretaker the Nanny and their Mumsy. However there's something dangerously eccentric about this family and their new friend learns he might just have to follow their rules and play their games while scheming some sort of plan if he has any chance of getting out of this nightmare alive.
Prolific British horror director Freddie Francis lets it slowly unwind in a large remote Victorian mansion estate, but this only makes the atmosphere even more jarring and disquieting with its playful jolts and character manipulations. The cheeky script is a treat on words, astute and sharp with plenty of innuendo. There's an outstanding array of character performances led largely by the ever-sultry Vanessa Howard as the miniskirt wearing Girly. A solid Michael Bryant brings the right temperament to balance out the insanity, as the new friend or better put a playmate for the children but also the for ladies of the house. He learns the only way to really dig himself out is to be playing the games and following the rules, but in a cunning manner. So the toy begins to toy around. This whole nature makes it quite unpredictable. Ursula Howells is superb, with a slightly unsettling air to her proudly calm Mumsy figure. Howard Trevor brings edginess to his troublesome Sonny character and Pat Heywood is good as Nanny. Also showing up in a minor role is Hammer regular Michael Ripper.
A crudely sinister, but highly amusing and imaginative black horror comedy curiosity.
I like the word "brecky"
lee_eisenberg23 January 2014
Freddie Francis's "Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly" (released as "Girly" in North America) has a neat premise and some fun scenes but is mostly too weird to be generally appealing. It's about a group of people pretending to be a family so that they can lure men to their house and force them to participate in the game.
Early in the movie the "mother" mentions breakfast and calls it "brecky". I remember that in "Yellow Submarine" one of the Beatles uses that word. Here that's the best line. There are some other good parts but overall I wouldn't recommend the movie.
PS: Pat Heywood, who plays the "nanny", played the nurse in Franco Zefferelli's "Romeo and Juliet".
Early in the movie the "mother" mentions breakfast and calls it "brecky". I remember that in "Yellow Submarine" one of the Beatles uses that word. Here that's the best line. There are some other good parts but overall I wouldn't recommend the movie.
PS: Pat Heywood, who plays the "nanny", played the nurse in Franco Zefferelli's "Romeo and Juliet".
Tony Chestnut!
BA_Harrison31 August 2019
Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly is very much a product of the swinging '60s/early '70s, with director Freddie Francis taking a somewhat avant garde approach to his twisted tale of a demented family that abducts men to be their new 'friends'. Imagine Jack Hill's Spider Baby(1968) crossed with cult TV show The Prisoner (1967) and you'll be close to understanding the perversity and strangeness that this bizarre little film has to offer.
Vanessa Howard plays sexy teenager Girly, who lives in a sprawling mansion (actually Oakley Court, seen in many a Hammer horror) with her brother Sonny (Howard Trevor), their mother Mumsy (Ursula Howells), and their nanny, aptly called Nanny (Pat Heywood). Mumsy and Nanny treat Girly and Sonny as though they are still children, reading them bedtime stories, playing kindergarten games, and laying down strict rules. Girly and Sonny act the part, dressing in school clothes and talking like little kids. Every now and then, the brother and sister visit the park to befriend a stranger and bring him back home to participate in their role-playing games. Those who refuse or try to escape are put on trial and 'sent to the angels'.
Their latest 'friend' is Soldier (Robert Swann), who believes himself responsible for the death of his girlfriend. As the family go about their crazy ways, Soldier gradually turns his captors against each other, seducing the women, starting with coquettish Girly, and working his way through Mumsy and Nanny, causing feelings of jealousy. This angers Sonny, who decides that it is time for Soldier to be put on the train to heaven.
With hints of incest, bursts of violence, and plenty of offbeat action (the hunt of friend No.2 is very much like The Prisoner in style), Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly would no doubt have quite the cult following had it not been so difficult to find for many years. Thankfully, the film is now available on DVD and for streaming on Amazon, meaning that a wider audience is able to appreciate its strange ambience, Vanessa Howard's memorable performance (tempting and terrifying at the same time), and the general ghoulishness (highlights including the bubbling pot on the stove, and an axe-wielding Sonny peering through a splintered door, surely inspiration for the "Here's Johnny!" moment in The Shining).
7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
Vanessa Howard plays sexy teenager Girly, who lives in a sprawling mansion (actually Oakley Court, seen in many a Hammer horror) with her brother Sonny (Howard Trevor), their mother Mumsy (Ursula Howells), and their nanny, aptly called Nanny (Pat Heywood). Mumsy and Nanny treat Girly and Sonny as though they are still children, reading them bedtime stories, playing kindergarten games, and laying down strict rules. Girly and Sonny act the part, dressing in school clothes and talking like little kids. Every now and then, the brother and sister visit the park to befriend a stranger and bring him back home to participate in their role-playing games. Those who refuse or try to escape are put on trial and 'sent to the angels'.
Their latest 'friend' is Soldier (Robert Swann), who believes himself responsible for the death of his girlfriend. As the family go about their crazy ways, Soldier gradually turns his captors against each other, seducing the women, starting with coquettish Girly, and working his way through Mumsy and Nanny, causing feelings of jealousy. This angers Sonny, who decides that it is time for Soldier to be put on the train to heaven.
With hints of incest, bursts of violence, and plenty of offbeat action (the hunt of friend No.2 is very much like The Prisoner in style), Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly would no doubt have quite the cult following had it not been so difficult to find for many years. Thankfully, the film is now available on DVD and for streaming on Amazon, meaning that a wider audience is able to appreciate its strange ambience, Vanessa Howard's memorable performance (tempting and terrifying at the same time), and the general ghoulishness (highlights including the bubbling pot on the stove, and an axe-wielding Sonny peering through a splintered door, surely inspiration for the "Here's Johnny!" moment in The Shining).
7.5/10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb.
Intriguing Premise Goes Nowhere Slowly
chow91321 April 2013
With the alluring Vanessa Howard dressed as a school girl and directed by cinematography great Freddie Francis this looks like a must see. Unfortunately it's a big disappointment.
The film starts off strong with a great cast of adults talking, playing and acting like little children in a secluded English mansion which makes the Biltmore look like a shack.
The sexy Girly and her pretend brother Sonny spend all day playing childish games.
As their playmates they pick up vagrants willing to play along with their fantasy world just to get 3 hots and a cot but when the inevitably try and leave the family "sends them to the angels." Unfortunately there is NO sex or violence in this film at all. Only one of the killings is briefly shown and there's not interesting method of murder.
When a character is decapitated and the head stuffed in a boiling dinner pot it's never actually shown. Neither the killing or the head.
There is also absolutely no explanation as to the origin of this madness. Who these characters are, where they come from, or why they do what they do. Or who pays for and maintains this opulent house. The "kids" have no chores and the one maid isn't enough. It would require a staff of dozens to maintain this place.
So all and all, NOTHING really happens! Once you've seen the first ten minutes and been entertained by this psycho family the rest of the film is just an endless repeat of the opening scene. If you're hoping for sex and violence or even just romance, lust, passion, or any emotion for that matter this movie is completely devoid of it.
It's an interesting premise that just doesn't realize itself.
The film starts off strong with a great cast of adults talking, playing and acting like little children in a secluded English mansion which makes the Biltmore look like a shack.
The sexy Girly and her pretend brother Sonny spend all day playing childish games.
As their playmates they pick up vagrants willing to play along with their fantasy world just to get 3 hots and a cot but when the inevitably try and leave the family "sends them to the angels." Unfortunately there is NO sex or violence in this film at all. Only one of the killings is briefly shown and there's not interesting method of murder.
When a character is decapitated and the head stuffed in a boiling dinner pot it's never actually shown. Neither the killing or the head.
There is also absolutely no explanation as to the origin of this madness. Who these characters are, where they come from, or why they do what they do. Or who pays for and maintains this opulent house. The "kids" have no chores and the one maid isn't enough. It would require a staff of dozens to maintain this place.
So all and all, NOTHING really happens! Once you've seen the first ten minutes and been entertained by this psycho family the rest of the film is just an endless repeat of the opening scene. If you're hoping for sex and violence or even just romance, lust, passion, or any emotion for that matter this movie is completely devoid of it.
It's an interesting premise that just doesn't realize itself.
One Extraordinary Film
possessionx29 November 2004
about three years ago, my friend gave me a VHS which contained three films. One of them being "GIRLY". I was board one day so I threw it in My VCR, I watched the first two movies which were not too bad, but when girly came on I was really hooked. I actually rewound the picture and watched it a second time. I still remember soldier in the beginning of the movie. He is my favorite character. near the start of the picture, it's hilarious when girly gives him the flask and he takes it without question. Another one of my favorite parts of the movie is when girly sings the siamese national anthem. Anyway, Girly definitely is one of the best movies ever made. I would definitely rate it 10/10.
Bizarre mix of humour and lunacy!
The_Void20 February 2008
What we have here is a bizarre mix of psycho horror and pitch black comedy that actually works much better than I thought it would. The film is based on a stage play by Maisie Mosco and follows a so-called 'happy family' who all happen to be lunatics. The film is directed by Freddie Francis who of course has a lot of experience in directing cult and horror movies having done a number of films for Hammer Horror and numerous other projects. The film is not very well known and was considered lost for a number of years. I have to say that doesn't really surprise me - this flick is a bit too weird to have a great deal of mass market appeal! The plot focuses on a family made up of four people - unsurprisingly calling themselves; Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly. This clan has a habit of kidnapping people, subjecting them to torturous games for a little while and then "sending them to the angels" once bored of them. This all goes well until they kidnap a New Friend, who is not happy to join in with the games and decides to play some of his own...
The film is very 'British' in style and execution and Freddie Francis does well in elevating the film away from it's stage play origins - although it's still clear that this story was originally a play from the settings and the way most of the scenes play out. Almost the entire film takes place in and around the large house that is the living area of the central characters. The lack in variation for locations doesn't harm the film however as the house matches the plot brilliantly and the way that it all takes place around one area helps to enforce the unfortunate kidnapped characters' situations and lack of escape routes. The acting is spot on, with all four of the title characters being brought to life convincingly - Vanessa Howard is particularly good as the mischievous 'Girly'. Michael Bryant is probably the best known member of the cast and he fits in well with the rest of them. The humour on display is so black that a lot of it will be missed - I have to say that I didn't find the film particularly 'funny' myself. Still, this is an excellent slice of cult cinema and well worth seeing if you can get your hands on a copy!
The film is very 'British' in style and execution and Freddie Francis does well in elevating the film away from it's stage play origins - although it's still clear that this story was originally a play from the settings and the way most of the scenes play out. Almost the entire film takes place in and around the large house that is the living area of the central characters. The lack in variation for locations doesn't harm the film however as the house matches the plot brilliantly and the way that it all takes place around one area helps to enforce the unfortunate kidnapped characters' situations and lack of escape routes. The acting is spot on, with all four of the title characters being brought to life convincingly - Vanessa Howard is particularly good as the mischievous 'Girly'. Michael Bryant is probably the best known member of the cast and he fits in well with the rest of them. The humour on display is so black that a lot of it will be missed - I have to say that I didn't find the film particularly 'funny' myself. Still, this is an excellent slice of cult cinema and well worth seeing if you can get your hands on a copy!
Girly's legs....
gridoon20243 January 2011
Warning: Spoilers
....are what I'll remember the most from this one. Vanessa Howard is nearly always dressed in very short skirts, and the director often shoots her from low angles specifically selected to emphasize her legs even more; she makes evil look tempting and sexy. She also does by far the best acting in the film - she is the only one who hits more notes than the one of amused, apathetic amorality of the others. The film has an inspired start, helped by a deceptively jaunty music score, but wears out its novelty value pretty quickly: OK, we get it, this is a seriously warped family; now what? But Girly's presence, along with some clever black humor ("I'm sorry, I didn't mean to....break my toy drummer"!), will keep you watching. ** out of 4.
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