The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954)

These schoolgirls are more interested in racing forms than books as they try to get-rich-quick. They are abetted by the head-mistress' brother, played by Alastair Sim, who also plays the head-mistress.

Director:

Frank Launder

Writers:

Frank Launder (screenplay), Sidney Gilliat (screenplay)

Stars:

Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, George Cole

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alastair Sim	...	Millicent Fritton / Clarence Fritton
Joyce Grenfell	...	P.W. Sgt. Ruby Gates
George Cole	...	Flash Harry
Hermione Baddeley	...	Miss Drownder
Betty Ann Davies	...	Miss Waters
Renee Houston	...	Miss Brimmer (as Renée Houston)
Beryl Reid	...	Miss Wilson
Irene Handl	...	Miss Gale
Mary Merrall	...	Miss Buckland
Joan Sims	...	Miss Dawn
Balbina	...	Mlle de St. Emilion
Jane Henderson	...	Miss Holland
Diana Day	...	Jackie
Jill Braidwood	...	Florrie
Annabelle Covey	...	Maudie

Storyline

The arrival of Sultan's daughter Princess Fatima at England's famous and prestigious 'School for Young Ladies' precipitates even more chaos than usual. Her father's horse Arab Boy is due to run at the nearby Gold Cup so Clarence Fitton, bookie brother of headmistress Millicent, ensures his own daughter is on hand to report progress. At the same time Barchester police have planted sergeant Ruby Gates as a teacher, and the Ministry of Education are sending a third inspector down after the previous two disappeared without trace.

---

Plot Keywords:

school | schoolgirl | steeplechase | horse racing | woman played by man | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1954 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Ballade i pigepensionen

Filming Locations:

All Nations College, Easneye, Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

London Film Productions,British Lion Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Flash Harry Edwards was born in 1928. When he was 12 years old in 1940, Miss Fritton employed him as a boot boy.

---

Goofs

The shadow on the wall of Arab Boy seen by Ruby Gates is obviously made by a cut-out.

---

Quotes

Miss Fritton: [on entering the staff room that has a heavy pall of cigarette smoke] Oh, this place, always reminds me of a ladies powder room in Port Said.

---

Connections

Featured in Queerama (2017)

User Reviews

George Cole is brilliant.......

The first and probably the best of the three original St. Trinian's films. What with Alastair Sim and Joyce Grenfell, this film will definitely make you laugh. However, I personally think what makes the film what it is is Flash Harry, the local cockney spiv played expertly well by George Cole. The interaction between Cole, Sim and Grenfell is magic. Flash Harry is a fantastic character and can't but make you laugh. A classic, classic film.