The Boy Friend (1971)

When the leading lady of a low-budget musical revue sprains her ankle, the assistant stage manager is forced to understudy and perform in her place, becoming a star and finding love in the process.

Director:

Ken Russell

Writers:

Ken Russell (screenplay), Sandy Wilson (musical)

Stars:

Twiggy, Christopher Gable, Max Adrian

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Twiggy	...	Polly
Christopher Gable	...	Tony
Max Adrian	...	Max
Bryan Pringle	...	Percy
Murray Melvin	...	Alphonse
Moyra Fraser	...	Mme. Dubonnet
Georgina Hale	...	Fay
Sally Bryant	...	Nancy
Vladek Sheybal	...	De Thrill
Tommy Tune	...	Tommy
Brian Murphy	...	Peter
Graham Armitage	...	Michael
Antonia Ellis	...	Maisie
Caryl Little	...	Dulcie
Anne Jameson	...	Mrs. Peter (as Ann Jameson)

Storyline

The assistant stage manager of a small-time theatrical company (Polly Browne) is forced to understudy for the leading lady (Rita) at a matinée performance at which an illustrious Hollywood director (Cecil B. DeThrill) is in the audience scouting for actors to be in his latest "all-talking, all-dancing, all-singing" extravaganza. Polly also happens to fall in love with the leading man (Tony) and imagines several fabulous fantasy sequences in which the director is free to exercise his capacity for over-the-top visuals in this charming 1920's era flick.

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Plot Keywords:

1920s | fantasy sequence | thinness | based on stage musical | 1930s | 

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Taglines:

EMI-MGM Presents The Return Of Entertainment

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 February 1972 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

The Boyfriend

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$750,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Russflix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min 125 min (short UK) 140 min (director's cut) 109 min (US) 138 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Max Adrian, Murray Melville and Georgina Hale had all appeared previously earlier in the same year in Ken Russell's "The Devils" (1971).

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Quotes

Mme. Dubonnet: [singing] I am so good, At spreading mirth and joy
Percy: But it's no good, With such a sulky boy
Maisie, Fay, Dulcie, Nancy: I try, To play the game the other fellows all choose
Percy: The other fellows all choose
Maisie, Fay, Dulcie, Nancy: I sigh, Because you always refuse
Mme. Dubonnet: What is a girl to do, With such a boy as you? I've got those
Percy, Mme. Dubonnet, Maisie, Fay, Dulcie, Nancy: Dreary, Weary, You-Don't-Want-To-Play-With-Me Blues

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Crazy Credits

Ken Russell's Talking Picture

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Alternate Versions

CBS edited 38 minutes from this film for its 1975 network television premiere.

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Connections

References Flying Down to Rio (1933)

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Soundtracks

It's Nicer in Nice
Music & Lyrics by Sandy Wilson
Performed by Barbara Windsor and Girls & Boys

User Reviews

Some films age superbly

Russell's homage to the twenties has aged better than most of his films because the tone is so right. The orchestration is period-perfect, and the costumes (by Russell's then-wife, Shirley) are astounding. Likewise the amazing sets echo the designs of Clarice Cliff, Lucy Atwell and a host of others. Twiggy is that rare star, a model who made a great transition to film, and she's supported by a Who's Who cast of English performers, especially bad girl Antonia Ellis, who went on to star in the British stage version of 'Chicago'. To cap it all, the film works on three distinct levels, the backstage musical, the onstage drama and the fantasy version. Some lines have even become catchphrases. Sandy Wilson, the original show's author, wrote a sequel called 'Divorce Me, Darling', which parodied the thirties. Some prints are shown without the 'Woodland Pastoral' dance sequence.