Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? (1999)

Harold Smith, a quiet middle-aged Englishman becomes an instant celebrity when he suddenly starts exhibiting psychic and telekinetic powers. After he is arrested for accidentally killing ... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Hewitt

Writer:

Ben Steiner

Stars:

Tom Courtenay, Michael Legge, Laura Fraser

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Courtenay	...	Harold Smith
Michael Legge	...	Vince Smith
Laura Fraser	...	Joanna Robinson
Stephen Fry	...	Dr. Peter Robinson
Charlotte Roberts	...	Lucy Robinson
Amanda Root	...	Margaret Robinson
Lulu	...	Irene Smith
David Thewlis	...	Nesbit
Charlie Hunnam	...	Daz
Matthew Rhys	...	Ray Smith
James Corden	...	Walter
Rosemary Leach	...	Harold's Mother
Charles Simon	...	Oobie
Mark Williams	...	Roland Thornton
John Higgins	...	The Reverend Anthony Cooper

Storyline

Harold Smith, a quiet middle-aged Englishman becomes an instant celebrity when he suddenly starts exhibiting psychic and telekinetic powers. After he is arrested for accidentally killing three pensioners by causing their pacemakers to stop, his lawyer brings in an extremely skeptical scientist to test whether or not Harold's powers are real. Meanwhile, Harold's son Vince, a disco devotee, is pining for his co-worker Joanna, who also happens to be the daughter of the scientist testing Vince's dad.

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Plot Keywords:

punctuation in title | question in title | telekinesis | independent film | character name in title | 

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Taglines:

When punk meets disco.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 March 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

Che fine ha fatto Harold Smith?

Filming Locations:

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£137,309 (UK) (10 March 2000)

Gross:

£137,309 (UK) (10 March 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Arts Council of England, Intermedia Films, October Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the Police arrive after the 'house smashing' scene one of the vehicles is a Bedford CF with a 1976 registration plate. Whilst the vehicle was available in 1976, the model shown is a post 1980 face lifted version with a plastic radiator grille.

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Soundtracks

"Handling the Big Jets"
Written by Chris Payne
Performed by The Members

User Reviews

Excellent heartwarming WEIRD movie.

This is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen. The direction is excellent, the acting is great, although really weird, and the script is perfect.

This film is a real masterpiece but I think many people just can't get past the accents. It's NOT a "accurate depiction of the 70s" - or at least, it's not trying to be. It's a movie in which really normal people deal with really WEIRD situations. I love it because everyone stays normal despite this strange phenomena of Howard Smith's.

I've never seen a romantic comedy with such normal, and realistic people who, despite being idiots, were sweet, and honest.