A Touch of Love (1969)

A young London woman, studying for her doctorate in the British Museum, spends her nights trying to avoid the sexual admiration of men in her life.

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writers:

Margaret Drabble (screenplay), Margaret Drabble (from her novel "The Millstone")

Stars:

Sandy Dennis, Ian McKellen, Michael Coles

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Sandy Dennis	...	Rosamund
Ian McKellen	...	George
Michael Coles	...	Joe
John Standing	...	Roger
Peggy Thorpe-Bates	...	Mrs. Stacey
Kenneth Benda	...	Mr. Stacey
Deborah Stanford	...	Beatrice
Roger Hammond	...	Mike
Eleanor Bron	...	Lydia
Margaret Tyzack	...	Sister Bennett
Maurice Denham	...	Dr. Prothero
Rachel Kempson	...	Sister Harvey

Storyline

Rosamund (Sandy Dennis), a young "bookish" girl in London society, spends her days studying for a doctorate in the British Museum and her nights avoiding the sexual attention of the men in her life. But one day, all of that changes. Through a friend, she is introduced to rising television newsreader and announcer George (Sir Ian McKellen), and after a further chance meeting, and a tumble on the sofa, she finds herself pregnant from her first sexual encounter. After a failed attempt at self-induced abortion, she resolves to have the child, leaving her on a solitary, and at times, discouraging path through pregnancy and into single motherhood, aided only by her close friend Lydia (Eleanor Bron).

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | giving birth | childbirth | maternity ward | expectant mother | 

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Taglines:

The community is uptight about single girls like Rosamund Stacey. That's THEIR hang up.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

M/PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Margaret Drabble's original novel was titled "The Millstone", an ironic reference to the baby the unmarried heroine finds she's expecting, while trying to complete her doctorate. This was the working title for this movie, but it was deemed unsuitable and not commercial. In the U.S., this movie was released as "Thank You All Very Much", the sarcastic remark the heroine makes to a group of student doctors after they have studied her case at length, without ever speaking to her, nor making any acknowledgment of her as a person.

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Quotes

Sister Henry: You're quite sure, Miss Stacey, you've thought this out properly? You ought to think about the child, you know. I'm quite sure your feelings will change considerably over the next few months. There are a great many happy, married couples who would be able to offer your baby a home and give her a much better life than you would ever be able to provide for her.
Rosamund Stacey: Yes, well I expect it is arrogant of me to suppose that I too may have things to provide. I mean, I'm not a happy, married couple I know. ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Monty Python's Flying Circus: Full Frontal Nudity (1969)

User Reviews

Watch it for Sandy Dennis McKellen, etc, and M.Drabble's Novel

After seeing Sandy Dennis in all her somewhat-quirky roles ( I even saw her hit '60,s play "Any Wednesday", before she got into films), it was almost a revelation: how beautiful and fine her performance. Also, interesting as time warp: 60's situation and attitude, also all the other fine performers when they were young( Bron, Standing, McKellen )

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1969 (UK)

Also Known As:

Thank You All Very Much

Filming Locations:

British Library British Museum, London, Greater London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amicus Productions, Palomar Pictures International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor) (photographed in)