User reviews

The movie musical had a brief resurgence in the late 1960s due to the success of "The Sound of Music." In that film, all the right elements were there: a major star, a good story and screenplay (in fact, the screenplay was a lot better than the book written for the Broadway production), a great score, and gorgeous photography. Of course it made a fortune, saved 20th Century-Fox from ruin, and the race was on. Musicals were back 'in.' The problem was, the production units that once existed that made these musicals had long since disbanded, and it seemed like production companies had to re-learn how to make them. Even seasoned hands didn't do all that well (although Gene Kelly's "Hello Dolly" is a better film than its reputation would indicate; Streisand was still miscast). Society and music had also changed, and the old-fashioned musical often came off as a museum piece - "Finian's Rainbow" should have been filmed years before; in 1969 it came off as a relic. (Footnote: when "Hair" was finally filmed, that also came off as a souvenir from the past; what a pity it was not made when the show closed on Broadway so that it could capture the real spirit of the times). Certainly there were exceptions - "Goodbye Mr. Chips" is far better than was realized at the time, and "Star" had the misfortune of coming off as a follow-up to "The Sound of Music," even though it's aspirations were far more modest.

And so we have this perfectly professional film version of a musical that was a big hit in the sixties, with the star a Tony nominee, directed by a veteran of old Hollywood. The star is talented and charming, Julia Foster more than holds her own, Cyril Ritchard is wonderful to have. Unfortunately once you see the movie, the reasons this film is relatively little known become clear: everything is very well done, the art direction excellent, in other words the money shows. But the score is not very good, the dancing is okay, and the end result, to these eyes, is a film that I really have no interest in seeing again.

I was fourteen when this film came out, and even though I liked Tommy Steele, I didn't 'need' to see this film the way I couldn't wait to see "Patton" and "2001." Now I know why. I was saddened when it was over because all that effort just added up to nothing for me.

HALF A SIXPENCE on the London stage was good. When it came to Broadway,

trimmed and faster paced, it was better. The film, therefore, was keenly

anticipated by anyone, myself included, who loved one or both versions

of the play. What a disappointment. Bloated and overlong with new and

inferior orchestrations and arraingments, the film loses all the charm

that made the musical so delightful. Filters are used for no purpose (a

la Josh Logan with SOUTH PACIFIC), lyrics are dumbed down to inanity,

cameras are moved in and out for no reason and dance numbers are

unimaginative and fall flat! The only saving grace of this mess is the

delightful Tommy Steele who starred on stage and brings his charm and

charisma to the big screen. Without him, HALF A SIXPENCE would be a

disaster; with him it is simply a dreary mis-fire at the end of the

golden age of musical films.....

I "accidentally" discovered HALF A SIXPENCE during 1979 on the late movie on NYC's Channel 5. I turned it on just before the "Half a Sixpence" number between Tommy Steele and Julia Foster. I didn't get to see it all, but years later it was shown on the Disney Channel. What a great movie! Great choreography (Gillian Lynne of CATS fame), charming actors playing the leads, and all that beautiful on-location photography in England! Tommy Steele sets the screen on fire when he lets loose in a dance number, and his star turn in the role of a simple lad who gets too rich too quickly and ends up miserable is believable and touching. Julia Foster is by turns sweet, vulnerable, AND feisty as his love interest, Ann.

The film (based on the London/Bdwy stage show and directed by movie-musical veteran George Sidney) has the look and feel of an old-fashioned MGM musical, which is probably why I loved it so. It seems to be more widely known in the UK - I believe it was more popular there than in the States at the time of its release, and perhaps it gets more TV airings in the UK? It's just too bad that it's not seen more often and appreciated as it deserves.

I sought out this bright and breezy film musical after reading the comedic novel from which it was adapted, HG Wells' "Kipps". Tommy Steele plays "Arfur" Kipps, dropping his 'aitches and cor-blimeying all over the place as the young gentleman's outfitter whose life is changed after he inherits a fortune from a rich grandfather. A mild morality tale on being careful for what you didn't wish for, the film charts Kipps's rise, fall and gentle rise again as we see him taken out of his station by the lure of upper class living as he falls for the very posh Miss Walshingham and her hob-nobbing set, in the process leaving behind his childhood sweetheart Anne, played by Julia Foster to whom he'd long ago plighted his troth with half a sixpence. Even after he comes to his senses romantically, financially he has another fall to endure before he finally learns the value of what's around him and that all that glitters isn't gold.

Probably hoping to cash in on the success of another hit Cockney-based musical of the time, "Mary Poppins", "Half A Sixpence" isn't quite up to that standard. Tommy Steele's ever-present smiling face and broad London accent may irritate as many as charm and the score itself isn't as chock-full of hits as "Poppins" either but you can clearly see where the big budget went in the crowd scenes and settings and the whole is directed in grand old Hollywood style by the veteran George Sidney. While some voguish tricks are employed such as stop-start photography and a little animation, in the main this is just a good old fashioned family entertainment musical, where a tuneful song, usually accompanied by an enthusiastic chorus of dancers isn't far around the corner.

To be fair, the Kipps and wife of the book do speak just like in the movie and even if Steele's toothsome grin and attendant bonhomie occasionally enervates, there's no denying his energy as he throws himself wholeheartedly into the all-singing, all-dancing part. Foster too does well in her cliched role as the little woman indoors and they're surrounded by a bright ensemble cast who put over the story and accompanying songs with verve.

Of the songs, two really stand out, the wistful title tune and the all-action show-stopper "Flash Bang Wallop!" but the rest are perfectly serviceable to the story. The humour too is a little dated and predictable, usually focusing on Kipps's lack of social graces but I rather enjoyed this throwback musical made at the time of the swinging sixties musical revolution.

I first saw this fi look m when it was released and I found it quite entertaining. However I find my views are changed. It is dull overlong and with far too many overdone musical numbers.

Tommy Steele is one of those personalities who are far too big for the screen.

Many of the musical numbers are over 7 minutes long and I just couldn't wait for them or the film to finish.

Half A Sixpence is a musical adapted from the H.G. Wells story Kipps which Michael Redgrave played the title role back in a 1941 film version. I'm sure his interpretation of the role differed quite a bit from the boisterous styling of Tommy Steele in this film. They're so different in personality types.

It wasn't Wells the interpreter of the scientific future who wrote Kipps, but rather the Wells who was the Fabian Socialist. In a way this should be seen back to back with Pygmalion or My Fair Lady if you will. Some of the same themes were also done American style in The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

George Bernard Shaw when he wrote Pygmalion did the exact reverse of what Wells did in Kipps. That other noted Fabian Socialist took the flower girl Eliza and had her schooled in manners by the overbearing Henry Higgins to improve her station. Her economic status doesn't improve any, unless you figure she might marry well like the Freddy Eynsford-Hill character. She speaks well enough to fit in with his crowd.

But the exact opposite happens to Arthur Kipps. He's of illegitimate birth, apprenticed as a draper's assistant and living in the basement of his employer's store with other apprentices. But one fine day, Arthur's ship comes in, a grandfather leaves him an inheritance and a guaranteed annual income.

But unlike Audrey Hepburn, Tommy Steele is still at heart from the lower classes. So the story of Half A Sixpence is his personal struggle to find his place. That could be with a girl of his own class, Julia Foster or the previous unattainable Penelope Horner. Give you one guess where Steele winds up.

Half A Sixpence ran on Broadway for 511 performances in the 1965-66 season with Tommy Steele in the title role there. Steele's infectious style of performing is awfully hard to resist. Though he started out as a rock and roll singer, a British answer to Elvis Presley, Steele is really from the great tradition of Music Hall performers in the United Kingdom.

The socialist polemics are kept to a minimum here, I can't speak for how Wells originally wrote Kipps or how Michael Redgrave played it back in the day. But his points do come across and come across most entertainingly.

Seeing this for the first time since its original release fifty years ago, I can gain perspective and see what holds up and what doesn't. So I want to concentrate on what is excellent and then look at what fails.

First off, the choreography by Gillian Lynne is extraordinary - there are six dances associated with six of the songs and the dancing is some of the best ever filmed, yet who has ever heard of Gillian Lynne??? And why not??? Second, there's Grover Dale as lead dancer, and is he ever fine!!!! Wish we had more of his work on film, but sadly for posterity he was devoted to the stage and made few films.

Third, the songs - the good ones - are all from the original show and there are five of them - All In The Cause of Economy, Half A Sixpence, Money To Burn, If The Rain's Got To Fall, Flash! Bang! Wallop!

There are eight others, three of them new for the film (I Don't Believe A Word of It; The Race Is On; This Is My World) and they are negligible. Five remaining flop badly: Long Ago; I'm Not Talking To You; She's Too Far Above Me; A Proper Gentleman; I Know What I am.

Now to the problems: Primarily Tommy Steele is an acquired taste. The Brits adore him, from rock star to song and dance man. He is a bit over the top - enough energy to light the entire electric world grid, and a smile with piano teeth that can be off-putting at times. Face it, he is quite homely, bordering on the ugly, but so sincere, and trying so hard to be entertaining, we must forgive him for his excesses. Then there is Julia Foster's Ann, a cruel, selfish, self- centered bitch we are supposed to care about. No, sorry - bad writing and acting there.

The musical at 147 minutes, timed from the DVD release, is unforgivable in one instance: it is dull, dull, dull beyond belief. The libretto is tres boring, the plot is limp, the one conceit seeming to be "don't try to rise above your station in life." Don't tell that to Eliza Dolittle, please!

The libretto condescends, but it does keep the British Upper Lip solidly in place! Nasty, that!

The DVD release in widescreen has not been "restored" digitally, so it looks fuzzy and out of focus. Someone didn't want to spend the money to give it a proper refurbishing.

I am keeping it for the half dozen brilliant song/dance numbers and will simply use the chapter feature to show these off to friends. They watch the entire film after that at their own risk.

A fabulous musical which I first saw at the age of 11 (back in 1967). In fact I saw this film at least 5 times back then. As a young lad I was also very struck by the appearance of Julia Foster, she was, my first heart throb! (along with Hayley Mills).

This film has great songs, great acting (if a little over the top by Mr Steele, great sets and locations, and great colour. It's very well directed to boot! A must see for all musical lovers and admirers of Miss Foster!

A uniquely English film. Terrific!

Although an admitted sucker for campy 1960's British Musicals - this movie was, simply put - shocking. It's easily one of the worst films ever made. The fact that it must have cost a fortune to make, is just one of many aspects of this disaster that amazes me.

Not only is Tommy Steele's performance over-the-top and irritating, I was completely pushed over the edge when he couldn't even muster up a decent fake air-guitar (to be honest, it was a banjo). All the musical numbers are, if not forgettable, completely ridiculous! (never mind lacking any harmony or rhythm). Who in their right mind would find "Flash, Bang Wallop!" a rollicking good time? All that being said, I have to admit that I couldn't stop watching this train-wreck. I eventually found myself cheering on the characters and just waiting for something even more ridiculous to happen. And man, did this film deliver.

This film is a gem, like old "Happy Days" or "Threes Company" episodes. It's entertaining although I highly doubt for the reasons the producers, writer, director or actors had intended.

Best enjoyed inebriated.

I remember seeing this movie alot when I was little. They used to show on Tv here in NY in the late 60s and early 70s. I think the first time I first saw it was like in 67 or 68 I was like 5 or 6. The music is great most of the numbers are uplifting and Tommy Steel delivers them wondefully and so does the rest of the cast, especially the the ones with all the dancing like when they sing Money to Burn and Flash Bang Whallop. The one thing I didn't like about this movie was it had a great storyline that should of been developed stronger. The whole thing about the love between Artie and Ann and how it was almost destroyed because of new found wealth and the way it changed him and caused a rift between them and also between him and the boys he worked with could of been emphasized a little stronger. Other than that this movie is a gem, a wonderful, romping musical that you can watch with your whole family because theres's no excessive violence, sex or crude humor o

Such a great musical on stage but somehow it seems wooden cutesy and Forced As a film . It's a movie musical paint by numbers sort of thing . It is just there aand it doesn't work. More meandering and long then the stage version and Gillian Lynnes' choreography can't compete with Onna White who choreography on Broadway.It is just a vapid movie musical

If you're a fan of Tommy Steele this is a must watch movie. It's Tommy at his best. If you're a fan of musicals then this has to be on your list. It's warm, funny and has a great feel-good factor. Watch it when you're feeling down, you're bound to feel better.

I did love Tommy Steel but after this film, it turned me right off him. The songs were too long making the movie too long. I got bored and I think I left before the end. It is a boisterous musical with lovely costumes but just too long. I thought it was the end after the song something about the family album. Should have stopped right there. I didn't know that there was an earlier version, must look it up if it's still around. I hope it wasn't a musical. This movie was made in the height of musical blockbusters so perhaps a favourite with people who enjoy them. I wouldn't say it's in the same league as My Fair Lady, far from it.

"Half a Sixpence" was a product of the age of big budget musicals that began with the success of "The Sound of Music" and died when such clunkers as "Mame" and "Man of La Mancha" appeared. As such, the film both benefited and suffered. The benefits were a generous budget that is apparent on screen in the period costumes and sets, the lush photography of the English countryside, and the large cast. Just renting all the antique cars as background for one short scene must have cost a fortune. However, the film also suffered as it was lost in the glut of these big budget musicals, which were often mediocre, and its star, Tommy Steele, did not have the name or the charisma to carry it alone as the cast is largely unknown. The film also suffered from the obligatory over-length and intermission, which were required at the time in order to justify reserved seat engagements for these "event" films. The movie has been seldom seen, at least in the U.S., which is unfortunate because "Half a Sixpence" is a lively family film with a tuneful score, energetic choreography, and an engaging cast. Also, director George Sidney is a veteran of MGM musicals, and he knows how to stage a number. True, the story of how boorish, snotty, and unhappy the rich are, while the poor are fun loving, generous, and content with their lot, has been done to death (see "Titanic"). However, the film's assets lie where a musical's assets should be: in the songs, the dancing, and the performers. On those counts, the film is a winner.

There is this wonderful movie called Last Action Hero in which all existing movies exist but with a different actor and or small difference in storyline or performance etcetera; the same thing happens here: you don't know whether you're watching My Fair Lady, West Side Story or an episode of Mister Ed (tap dancing in mud really doesn't attract at all). The acting is not even to called cute, but it's like everything in Half a Sixpence is a rehash of something which existed before it appeared in the t(heaters and in this it is what it is and thereby bound to fail for not interesting enough to stand out or alone in a list of great musicals.

Master showmen were at work in the production of this perhaps over long but nevertheless delightful picture. It would be impossible to visualise the film without the warm performance of Tommy Steele, and it was an inspired move to bring in George Sidney, one of Hollywood's finest directors of musicals, to give the picture a very special flare. The budget was obviously huge and it all shows on the screen in the very lively production numbers, especially those shot on location. A super piece of screen entertainment which stands up well to occasional re-watching.

Not the kind of story one would think of when thinking H G Welles, but this rags to riches to rags love story is fascinating, well constructed and features one of England's preimere talents, Tommy Steele. The tale of the oprhan Kips who aquires an amazing inheritance and nearly throws away true love after tasting the luxury of high society. Fantastic score too, includes "If the Rains Going to Fall". Great fun.

When "Half A Sixpence" moved from London to New York, the producers added a lot of dancing to a show that had almost none. Because of this, a couple of songs were cut (to make-up the time taken by the dancing). The film version restores most of the music (even adds a number) and keeps the dancing. On Broadway, the incredible Onna White was the choreographer. Unfortunately, she was not used for the film (busy doing "Oliver!"), and the job went to Gillian Lynne (Cats), who's less than incredible. The cast gives it all they've got (especially Tommy Steele and Grover Dale), but each number falls short of being great. Regardless, "Half A Sixpence" is lots of fun, and while the plot and characters are a bit thin, it has wonderful musical numbers, a more than competent cast, and it's a joy to see, after all these years, in it's original widescreen splendor. Get the DVD and enjoy!

Here is a funny BIG frilly musical that is also a good comedy. Imagine someone moaning that it is too big, or even dreary! What a silly thing to feel when there is many musical scenes and easy comedy with which to have a great time. HALF A SIXPENCE is a British hybrid of TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE and HELLO DOLLY and belongs in that cinematic hat box of visual candy delights. If my mixed metaphors make sense (to those who know grammar...and grammar jokes). There is lovely film is all respects. It is raucous and silly and loaded with enough art direction and 'whalloping' stereo musical numbers to please even (Darling) Lili or even Leslie Caron at champagne best. HALF A SIXPENCE is actually a Teen musical but set in Victorian England. The dance numbers are just plain great, and humorous MGM veteran musical director George Sidney has delivered yet again. The music and tunes are memorable and if you see this film with educated kids, they get it and the experience is is a genuine family delight. A 'zac' in Oz vernacular is a sixpence...and there is more value than that in this DVD box of musical chocolates. Just enjoy it. Like those films also mentioned above. It has to be better than seeing Adam Sandler urinating on a door in BIG DADDY, the s-bend of 'family' movies for this clever new century.

From start to finish this is a film to enjoy. Just sit back and watch the life of Arthur Kipps unfold in front of you. Just watching Tommy Steele when he's doing nothing makes me laugh.

The songs are great, I love If The Rain's Gonna Fall, and the others, but I have to replay Flash Bang Wallop several times to just enjoy it. Not only the song and the voices, but the great choreography.

Others reviewers have said about how incongruous to have had H G Wells writing the original story, as well as GBS's Pygmalion turned into My Fair Lady, but there's also Ian Fleming having written Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

It's a fun filled romance, with some great songs and although not a huge fan of Tommy Steele, I love his voice, his acting his loud mouth when he shouts - hilarious. You can take a boy out of the gutter...... The class difference is apparent, in all countries, and it's well done here, with the posh family wanting something from Arthur. The scene when he's eating at their house, with the grand dining table is very, very funny.

This is a very well acted and energetic musical. Tommy Steel and Julie Foster in the lead parts were brilliantly cast.

The banjo scene in this was well choreographed, put together and acted out. To top the whole scene the banjo playing was superb.

A brilliant family musical it gets a 10/10 from us. But then we are Tommy Steele fans.

Tommy Steele helps salvage a somewhat labored production of a London-cum-Broadway musical hit. As far as musicals go it really strives for an A, and nearly hits its mark, but there's a distinctive lack of umph in the production. That and it also feels simplified, as per rube2424's comments.

The other part of the problem with "Half of Sixpence" is that the plot, what little there is of it, hardly plays any kind of roll in the film. The story suffers for it as the film seems to move from one scene to the next with little reason. The plot's there, but there's a kind of reserve holding back what could've been a stronger impact, and hence a better film.

The musical numbers are OK, and on par with a lot of other stuff that came out at the same time, but I'd be hard pressed to remember any single tune or song that really stuck out.

The British effort at a Hollywood musical was a step in the right direction, and, if one keeps an open mind, creates a respectable film as far as musical's go. It captures some of the magic of other big budgeted musicals, but the genre at the time was waning, and it shows somewhat in this film.

Even so, it has a kind of appeal. Much of the comedy is flat, though energetic, and, as I stated earlier, the score and other musical numbers (except for maybe the title song) aren't all that memorable.

It's worth a night's rental if you're into musicals, but don't say I didn't way ya!

RESCREENED Feb 25th and 25th Seeing this film again with perhaps a more cogent mind, I see that perhaps I was a bit hard on this film. One of the problems I had with this movie is that the story is essentially a classic British romance Austen like novel put into musical format. We essentially watch a couple that are coupled to one another at a very young age. We follow their progress, and explore their highs and pitfalls. So, unlike lot of American musicals, this one is not plot driven; i.e. Prof. Hill trying to pull a fast one on River City in "The Music Man", or Kelley's Don Lockwood trying to make a star out of Cathy Selzden, or Prof. Higgens trying to make a princess out of a common flower girl. "Half a Sixpence" is more thematic, and grander in scope in terms of it actually explores the combined heart of a couple that were meant for one another.

Not quite my "cup of tea" (to borrow from our friends across the Atlantic), but still a very decent watch.

Enjoy it for what it is.