Those People Next Door (1953)

During the war, a titled family, object to their squadron leader son, being engaged to the daughter of a working class factory worker.

Director:

John Harlow

Writer:

Zelda Davees (adapted from the play "Wearing the Pants")

Stars:

Jack Warner, Charles Victor, Marjorie Rhodes

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jack Warner	...	Sam Twigg
Charles Victor	...	Joe Higgins
Marjorie Rhodes	...	Mary Twigg
Gladys Henson	...	Emma Higgins
Patricia Cutts	...	Anne Twigg
Garry Marsh	...	Sir Andrew Stevens
Grace Arnold	...	Lady Diana Stevens
Anthony Newley	...	Bob Twigg
Norah Gorsen	...	Margaret Twigg (as Norah Gaussen)
Geoffrey Sumner	...	F / Lt. Claude Kimberley
Peter Forbes-Robertson	...	S / Ldr. Victor Stevens (as Peter Forbes Robertson)
Jimmy James	...	Drunk

Storyline

During the war, a titled family, object to their squadron leader son, being engaged to the daughter of a working class factory worker.

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Plot Keywords:

working class | comic relief | breaking the fourth wall | working class family | left wing politics | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1953 (UK)

Also Known As:

Wearing the Pants

Filming Locations:

Film Studios, Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Studios Manchester

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Gaumont Kalee Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White (archive footage) Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jack Warner refused to play the part of Sam Twigg with a north-country accent, as written. The part was changed so that his character had married into a Lancashire family.

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Goofs

Sam Twigg's voice and mouth are seen not to be in synchronisation for a line during the bomb shelter sequence.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits prologue: 1941

User Reviews

Good cast makes best of t rather dull script

There were a number of domestic comedy series made in the 1940's and '50s starring as the parents Jack Warner (the Huggets) Gary Marsh (the William stories)and the redoubtable Marjorie Rhodes. Here they all appear together along with character actor Charles Victor and later to be super-star Antony Newley. None an international name then but nevertheless probably the most familiar faces in these kinds of roles. As with the Huggets there are attractive late teen daughters with new and strong interest in "boys". Set in wartime but actually filmed in 1953 it feels rather dated and grey for its time. Interestingly both working class father (Warner) and very upper class opposite number (Marsh) are treated seriously and sympathetically - Warner is not afraid to talk very plainly in reply to Marsh's wife's upper-class condescension doubting the suitability of Warner's daughter as a marriage partner for the lady's son.

Interesting that the subject of humour if not satire revolved around the neighbours played by Charles Victor and Gladys Henson, the first loudly preaching the Evils of Capitalism (in between whiles describing at great length ludicrous inventions of his own), his wife a permanent leach on the "people next door" constantly calling to "just borrow" something.

The film puts across a message: that upper and working classes can each still respect the other's dignity and common human feelings. The odd ones out were the neighbours: he a left wing but harmless malcontent and impractical dreamer, she a habitual cadger. Quite a pointed message for all the film's apparent ordinariness.

Although adapted from a play it lacks the sparkle, polish and wit to be seen in "One Wild Oat" and other productions which had been honed over long runs on the stage stage. It does however have a pretty good cast. It is though only for those interested in the cast or the era. Nearly all the cast appeared in more entertaining films which suggests that the studio blew their budget on the cast rather than on the script.