Hand in Hand (1961)

A little Roman Catholic boy and a little Jewish girl become best friends despite the prejudice that surrounds them.

Director:

Philip Leacock

Writers:

Diana Morgan (screenplay), Leopold Atlas (based on a story by)

Stars:

Loretta Parry, Philip Needs, John Gregson

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Loretta Parry	...	Rachel Mathias
Philip Needs	...	Michael O'Malley
John Gregson	...	Father Timothy
Sybil Thorndike	...	Lady Caroline
Finlay Currie	...	Mr. Pritchard
Derek Sydney	...	Rabbi Benjamin
Miriam Karlin	...	Mrs. Mathias
Arnold Diamond	...	Mr. Mathias
Kathleen Byron	...	Mrs. O'Malley
Barry Keegan	...	Mr. O'Malley
Martin Lawrence	...	The Cantor
Barbara Hicks	...	Miss Roberts
Denis Gilmore	...	Tom (as Dennis Gilmore)
Peter Pike	...	Harry
Susan Reid	...	Priscilla

Storyline

In the town of Springfield, England, adolescents Michael O'Malley and Rachel Mathias strike up a friendship despite their less than friendly first meeting at school. That friendship becomes so strong that they spend whatever time they can together, Mike even forgoing playing his regular games with his old friends just so that Rachel won't feel left out. Their friendship is primarily based on reaching for somewhat collective dreams, those that seem to be at the top of the list being going to London to have tea with the Queen, and going big game hunting in Africa. They feel they are stronger as a pair than they are as individuals. Their respective parents support the friendship, which they may not have if it was ten years later and the friendship was a romantic one, their parents who would like their respective offspring to marry within their own religion, Mike's family who is Catholic, Rachel's being Jewish. The first test to their friendship is the possibility of Rachel's family ...

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Plot Keywords:

friend | jewish | catholic | oneness | anti semitism | 

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Taglines:

Plunge into an adult world of love and hate!

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: All characters and events in this film are fictitious and any similarity to persons either living or dead is purely coincidental.

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Goofs

Father Timothy wouldn't have needed to ask Michael if Rachel was a friend of his, since he had already met them together on at least one previous occasion, when they were on their way to buy a newspaper. So conceivably he would have already known to whom Michael was referring.

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Quotes

Michael O'Malley: What's the matter?
Rachel Mathias: It's Hector.
Michael O'Malley: Has he run away?
Rachel Mathias: He's dead. I looked in his cage this morning and he wouldn't wake up. Mummy said it was old age.
Michael O'Malley: Poor old Hector.
Rachel Mathias: I wrapped him in my best hankie.
Michael O'Malley: We'll have a proper funeral.
Rachel Mathias: Let's.
Michael O'Malley: We'll bury him just outside the door. I'll be the priest.
Rachel Mathias: But, but he's a Jewish mouse. He's mine.
[...]

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Soundtracks

Ellens Gesang III, D. 839, Op. 52, No. 6
(uncredited)
Composed by Franz Schubert
Latin lyrics by P. Adam Storck
Performed by Philip Needs
[Michael sings the song at Hector's funeral]

User Reviews

You've Got To Be Carefully Taught

I remember seeing this film in cinema back in the 60s and was finally glad of the chance to see it again for the first time in decades. It's a simple and profound film about two pre-pubescent children in the United Kingdom who become friends. The fact that the boy Philip Needs is Catholic and the girl Loretta Parry is Jewish makes no real difference until some of their peers around them tell them it makes a difference. Just like that Rodgers&Hammerstein song, You've Got To Be Carefully Taught.

Interesting that the cantor and priest characters played by Martin Lawrence and John Gregson have learned to respect each other's diversity. The kids learn that too just by simply being around each other.

I still love this film because Needs and Parry act like real kids instead of child actor celebrities. You don't they're acting at all, you think you're just watching from a window on their lives.

This film ought to be required viewing in grade school classes teaching tolerance, respect, and diversity. The message hasn't lessened any over the years.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English Latin Hebrew

Release Date:

7 April 1963 (UK)

Also Known As:

A Estrela e a Cruz

Filming Locations:

Associated British Elstree Studios, Elstree, Herts, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Associated British Picture Corporation (ABPC), Helen Winston Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1