"Storm in a Teacup" is a good comedy romance and bit of a satire of British politics of the day. Although both Vivien Leigh and Rex Harrison had been in half a dozen films before this, it was Harrison's first leading role. Both do very well here, but the best acting and fun part of this film is by two older hands. Sara Allgood is Honoria Hegarty and Cecil Parker is Provost William Gow. Parker is a hoot as the bombastic and proud aristocrat. Allgood is the focus of much of the mayhem when the authorities take her pet dog from her for not having paid its license.
Harrison's Frank Burdon arrives in Baikie, Scotland, as the new reporter for the local rag. Well, in his first night, he gets the editor's job to put the paper to bed, as the publisher, Horace Skirving (played by Gus McNaughton) is taking his wife to a social function. It just so happens, that as he arrived in town, Frank saw a fracas in which two policemen broke into Honoria's home to "arrest" her dog. After he hears and sees the crowd reaction, he then sees Honoria dismissed and shooed away by the provost when she tries to appeal to him. So, as night editor putting the paper to bed, Frank writes a new front page story - his first night in town.
Gow was running for parliament, and Frank's article leads to mayhem for the rest of the film. In the midst of this, Vivien Leigh's Victoria Gow vacillates back and forth in support of Frank's standing up for the little people, and her indignation for his harsh treatment of her father. And, to top it all off, the publisher's wife, Lisbet Skirving (played by Ursula Jeans) fawns over the provost. It's so obvious to everyone, including her husband, and while Horace and Victoria and others show initial looks of shock and disapproval, no one says a thing to her or to him. So, this goes on throughout the film, with Lisbet calling him Willie most of the time, and then, darling, in front of her husband. It is not meant as the type of frequent greeting - among women, especially, in the high society and nightclub crowds of New York City so often portrayed in films of the 1930s and later.
In the end all is well, and Frank and Victoria marry and drive off into the sunset, listening on the radio to the new member of parliament give his "trying times" speech. Oh, yes, and Honoria Hegarty's ice cream business flourishes with a new cart and romance for herself.
One distinct thing this film has is what may be the largest "herd" of dogs ever put on film. The scene in which all of the dogs of the community are set upon the provost's home just as he's entertaining the party leaders, is very funny. It does resemble a cattle stampede, but of four-paw animals rather than four-hoof steers. There must be 100 dogs -- maybe even twice as many.
Here are some favorite lines from the film.
Lisbet Skirving, "What a little brat." Horace Skirving, the publisher, "Well, he's English..."
Frank Burdon, "Oatmeal - the food of horses in England and men in Scotland."
Police sergeant, "You're lucky not to get six months for contempt of court." Honoria Hegarty, "Well, I don't know about the six months, but I've got the contempt all right."
Lisbet Skirving, "Willie!" Provost William Gow, "Oh, go to blazes, woman!" Lisbet, "Horace! He called me a woman." Horace Skirving, "It's all right, my dear."
1 out of 1 found this helpful.
Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink