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IMDbPro

The Magnet

  • 19501950
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 19m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
523
YOUR RATING
The Magnet (1950)
  • Comedy
A boy steals a powerful magnet from a younger boy and gets him into all sorts of trouble.A boy steals a powerful magnet from a younger boy and gets him into all sorts of trouble.A boy steals a powerful magnet from a younger boy and gets him into all sorts of trouble.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
523
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Charles Frend
  • Writer
    • T.E.B. Clarke(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Stephen Murray
    • Kay Walsh
    • James Fox
Top credits
  • Director
    • Charles Frend
  • Writer
    • T.E.B. Clarke(original screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Stephen Murray
    • Kay Walsh
    • James Fox
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 19User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos47

    The Magnet (1950)
    The Magnet (1950)
    The Magnet (1950)
    The Magnet (1950)
    The Magnet (1950)
    Meredith Edwards and James Fox in The Magnet (1950)
    The Magnet (1950)
    Joss Ambler and James Fox in The Magnet (1950)
    Bryan Michie in The Magnet (1950)
    Wylie Watson in The Magnet (1950)
    Grace Arnold, Jane Bough, and Stephen Murray in The Magnet (1950)
    James Robertson Justice in The Magnet (1950)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Stephen Murray
    Stephen Murray
    • Dr. Brentas Dr. Brent
    Kay Walsh
    Kay Walsh
    • Mrs. Brentas Mrs. Brent
    James Fox
    James Fox
    • Johnny Brentas Johnny Brent
    • (as William Fox)
    Meredith Edwards
    Meredith Edwards
    • Harperas Harper
    Gladys Henson
    • Nannieas Nannie
    Thora Hird
    Thora Hird
    • Nannie's Friendas Nannie's Friend
    Michael Brooke
    • Kitas Kit
    • (as Michael Brooke Jr.)
    Wylie Watson
    Wylie Watson
    • Pickeringas Pickering
    Julien Mitchell
    • The Mayoras The Mayor
    Anthony Oliver
    • Policemanas Policeman
    Molly Hamley-Clifford
    • Mrs. Deanas Mrs. Dean
    Harold Goodwin
    Harold Goodwin
    • Pin-Table Attendantas Pin-Table Attendant
    Edward Davies
    • Delinquent Youthas Delinquent Youth
    Keith Robinson
    • Spikeas Spike
    Thomas Johnston
    • Perceas Perce
    David Boyd
    • Mikeas Mike
    Geoffrey Yin
    • Choppoas Choppo
    Joan Hickson
    Joan Hickson
    • Mrs. Wardas Mrs. Ward
    • Director
      • Charles Frend
    • Writer
      • T.E.B. Clarke(original screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The four Liverpudlian lads that Johnny meets were all amateurs, not child actors.
    • Goofs
      Near the start of the film, Johnny chalks a diamond shape on a gatepost. When a tramp appears moments later, the diamond is lower down and the corners are much sharper.
    • Soundtracks
      Quickie
      (uncredited)

      Music by Jack Parnell

    User reviews19

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    James Fox's childhood hero....
    Though The Magnet oozes middle-class wholesome 1950's family values, which can be seen these days as starchy and very straight-laced, this unusual offering from the Ealing Studios works well on many levels.

    With his father a child psychologist, ten year old Johnny Brent (James Fox) has a very colourful imagination and loves inventing things and questioning everything. Johnny keeps getting under his mother's feet and so he is sent off out to play at the local beach to explore.

    There, he trades rather dishonestly a magic (non-existent) watch for a giant magnet from a younger lad. The lad's nanny tells him off and so Johnny scarpers and starts imagining that he's in trouble with the police. Then, through completely contrived, but affectionately drawn events, the giant magnet comes up for auction and raises money for a hospital appeal. Johnny becomes hero.

    Yes, this is whimsical nonsense and is rather Disney, before Disney did such things. But it's also the locations and snapshot of British life back then. It'll certainly appeal to the older generation and undoubtedly, to us boys of all ages, more, as it harks back to our own childhoods.

    Generally, the acting is quite average and the direction from Ealing regular Charles Friend is about passable, though there are some fantasy sequences which are OK. However, the young James is a tonic, eschewing youthful zest and intrigue. He's completely natural and believable, little wonder that he went on to become the mega star he did.

    The DVD transfer is OK but is a bit soft.

    All in all, if you're expecting a comedy caper, as in the best Ealing tradition, you may be disappointed. But if you love your Ealing's and want to explore beyond the box-set classics, then this does quite nicely.
    helpful•6
    1
    • tim-764-291856
    • May 29, 2012

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 26, 1951 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Alba generosa
    • Filming locations
      • New Brighton, Wallasey, Merseyside, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • J. Arthur Rank Organisation
      • Ealing Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 19 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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