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Serious Charge

  • 19591959
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
227
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Serious Charge (1959)
  • Drama
A vicar falsely accused of assaulting a youth attempts to prove his innocence and save his reputation.A vicar falsely accused of assaulting a youth attempts to prove his innocence and save his reputation.A vicar falsely accused of assaulting a youth attempts to prove his innocence and save his reputation.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
227
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Terence Young
  • Writers
    • Guy Elmes(screenplay)
    • Mickey Delamar(screenplay)
    • Philip King(from: "Serious Charge")
  • Stars
    • Anthony Quayle
    • Sarah Churchill
    • Andrew Ray
Top credits
  • Director
    • Terence Young
  • Writers
    • Guy Elmes(screenplay)
    • Mickey Delamar(screenplay)
    • Philip King(from: "Serious Charge")
  • Stars
    • Anthony Quayle
    • Sarah Churchill
    • Andrew Ray
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro

    • Photos89

    Serious Charge (1959)
    Serious Charge (1959)
    Serious Charge (1959)
    Serious Charge (1959)
    Leigh Madison and Andrew Ray in Serious Charge (1959)
    Leigh Madison in Serious Charge (1959)
    Cliff Richard in Serious Charge (1959)
    Wilfred Pickles and Patrick Halpin in Serious Charge (1959)
    Judith Furse in Serious Charge (1959)
    Jess Conrad and Andrew Ray in Serious Charge (1959)
    Philip Lowrie and Cliff Richard in Serious Charge (1959)
    Leigh Madison in Serious Charge (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Anthony Quayle
    Anthony Quayle
    • Rev. Howard Phillipsas Rev. Howard Phillips
    Sarah Churchill
    Sarah Churchill
    • Hester Petersas Hester Peters
    Andrew Ray
    Andrew Ray
    • Larry Thompsonas Larry Thompson
    Irene Browne
    Irene Browne
    • Mrs. Phillipsas Mrs. Phillips
    Percy Herbert
    Percy Herbert
    • Bill Thompsonas Bill Thompson
    Noel Howlett
    Noel Howlett
    • Rev. Petersas Rev. Peters
    Wensley Pithey
    • Police Sergeant Harrisonas Police Sergeant Harrison
    Leigh Madison
    Leigh Madison
    • Mary Williamsas Mary Williams
    Judith Furse
    Judith Furse
    • Miss Langton - Probation Officeras Miss Langton - Probation Officer
    Jean Cadell
    Jean Cadell
    • Almshouse Matronas Almshouse Matron
    Wilfrid Brambell
    Wilfrid Brambell
    • Vergeras Verger
    Olive Sloane
    Olive Sloane
    • Mrs. Browningas Mrs. Browning
    George Roderick
    George Roderick
    • Fishmongeras Fishmonger
    Cliff Richard
    Cliff Richard
    • Curley Thompsonas Curley Thompson
    Liliane Brousse
    Liliane Brousse
    • Michelleas Michelle
    Jess Conrad
    Jess Conrad
    • Danceras Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    Marie Devereux
    • Sexy Girl in Coffee Baras Sexy Girl in Coffee Bar
    • (uncredited)
    Carol Dourof
    • Danceras Dancer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Terence Young
    • Writers
      • Guy Elmes(screenplay)
      • Mickey Delamar(screenplay)
      • Philip King(from: "Serious Charge")
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Howard Phillips, a vicar who's new in the town of Bellington, wants to reach out to youth. The previous vicar's daughter, Hester Peters, who fears being a spinster, wants to be his wife. He tells her he's not interested. When he confronts a tough kid about something the youth has done, the lad sets out to frame the vicar. Hester, who's walked in on the confrontation, backs the youth's story. The town sides with her and the lad, turning against Phillips. He has a crisis of faith. What options does he have; can no one help him, his reputation, or his calling? —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    • vandal
    • male police officer
    • police
    • police officer
    • vicar
    • 87 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Never Has the Screen Been So Bold!
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The song, "Living Doll" by Cliff Richard and The Shadows (as The Drifters) was released as a single (in a different arrangement) as a spin off from this film. It was a British #1, and was the top-selling song of 1959.
    • Quotes

      Mrs. Phillips: Now, do let's sit down, Hester. You're taking to another woman, not one of those helpless males who can't discuss anything important or private without staring out of a window or looking confused.

      Hester Peters: I don't wish to be rude...

      Mrs. Phillips: You can, my dear, because I'm going to be extremely rude to you.

    • Connections
      Featured in A Bit of Scarlet (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Living Doll
      by Lionel Bart
      Cliff Richard song
      Accompanied by The Shadows (as The Drifters) (uncredited)

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Has anything really changed since 1959?
    I have only just seen this film on an obscure satellite channel. Way ahead of its time. It would not be out of place if it were remade today (without the awful version of "Livin' Doll"!) Does anyone know who played the youths in the film (apart from Cliff Richard and Andrew Ray) One looked like Nanette Newman and another like Bryan Forbes but they are not mentioned on this site. If it is them perhaps this film is where they met and fell in love.

    One thing that struck me as I watched the film is that 46 years on nothing has changed, at least not for the better. A sad indictment on our society.
    helpful•18
    6
    • Revnick
    • Mar 2, 2006

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 1960 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Die Schamlosen
    • Filming locations
      • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK
    • Production company
      • Alva Films (Denham)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

    Related news

    Pop at the pictures: When Cliff Richard ruled the charts
    Aug 23The Guardian - Film News

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