I last saw this film in the early 80s at the NFT introduced by one of its stars ,Clifford Mollison.I had fond memories and today i had a chance to see it again.Alas it was a bit of a letdown.One of the main problems is the casting of the leads.Firstly they cant sing and secondly they are just not strong enough.I do no know why the producers decided not to cast the stage leads Bobby Howes and Binnie Hale.The real classic from the score,Spread A Little Happiness,was weakly delivered.One of the supporting roles was split in two so we had The Western Brothers in the role with material written by them.It has to be said that their numbers were the weakest and most dated and rather an intrusion into an otherwise melodious score.the plot was fairly standard for its time.Country houses the aristocracy,a ball, a theft and a capture and lots of misunderstandings.Clifford Mollison is fine in Give Her A Ring,which can be seen at the BFI Mediatheque on the South Bank.however as Mr Cinders he is not up to it.A shame it could have been so much better.
Review of Mister Cinders
