Experience Preferred... But Not Essential (1982)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Peter Duffell

Writers:

June Roberts (writer)
Jack Rosenthal (writer)

Release Date:

22 December 1982 (UK)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A delicious new comedy from the producer of "Chariots of Fire" and "Local Hero."

Plot:

A shy, introverted young girl takes a summer job at a seaside resort in Wales. She finds the staff, the owners and patrons unlike anyone she has ever met before. |

Plot Keywords:

Seaside | Waitress | Restaurant | Waitress Uniform | Sleepwalking

Cast

Elizabeth Edmonds	...	Annie
Sue Wallace	...	Mavis
Geraldine Griffiths	...	Doreen
Karen Meagher	...	Paula
Maggie Wilkinson	...	Arlene
Ron Bain	...	Mike
Alun Lewis	...	Hywel
Robert Blythe	...	Ivan
Roy Heather	...	Wally
Peter Doran	...	Dai
Arwen Holm	...	Helen
Sion Tudor Owen	...	Nin
Robert Gwilym	...	Gareth
Mostyn Evans	...	Now
Paul Haley	...	Mr. Howard
Margo Jenkins	...	Mrs. Howard
Jerry Brooke	...	Gaiety M.C.

Directed by
Peter Duffell

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
June Roberts		writer
Jack Rosenthal		writer

Produced by
Christopher Griffin	....	producer
David Puttnam	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Rachel Portman

Cinematography by
Phil Meheux

Film Editing by
John Shirley

Art Direction by
Jane Martin

Costume Design by
Tudor George

Makeup Department
Christine Allsopp	....	makeup artist

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dominic Fulford	....	assistant director

Sound Department
Chris Greenham	....	sound editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Terry Potter	....	gaffer
Jimmy Turrell	....	camera operator (as James Turrell)

Music Department
John Scott	....	composer: additional music (uncredited)

Other crew
Pauline Hume	....	title designer

Production Companies

• Channel Four Film
• Enigma Film
• Goldcrest Films International

Distributors

• Goldcrest Films International (1982) (UK) (theatrical)
• Samuel Goldwyn Company, The (1983) (USA) (theatrical)
• Guild Home Video (1987) (UK) (VHS)

Other Companies

• Lee Lighting  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

First Love

Runtime:

USA:80 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:PG | UK:15

Filming Locations:

Grand Island Hotel, Ramsey, Isle of Man

Company:

Channel Four Film

Trivia:

Released theatrically in the U.S., but not before it gained cult-status on public television showings.

Quotes:

Doreen: [regarding her roommates late-night antics with her boyfriend] It's like a Swedish film in there! I feel sea-sick.

Movie Connections:

References Love Me Tender (1956)

Appreciative review of old movie and comparison

"Experience Preferred but not Essential" was, for me, one of those beautifully done esoteric films that deserves to be seen more than once to fully appreciate it humor, insights and writing.

It is akin to another such movie, "She'll be Wearing Pink Pajamas." I really appreciate writers, directors and actors who can delve into a humorous story, dig out the subtle humor and make it work on the big screen.

These are two films I'd really like to get a hold of and to watch again and again. Both films contain the kind of encouragement that one can find one's identity and not be lost in a "majority mentality."