Glad Tidings (film)

Glad Tidings
Directed byWolf Rilla
Written byWolf Rilla
Based onplay by R. F. Delderfield
Produced byVictor Hanbury
John Bremer
executive:
Nat Cohen
Stuart Levy
StarringBarbara Kelly
Raymond Huntley
Ronald Howard
Jean Lodge
CinematographyEric Cross
Edited byPeter Seabourne
Music byWolf Rilla
Production
company
Distributed byEros Films (UK)
Release date
  • August 1953 (1953-08) (UK)
Running time
67 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Glad Tidings is a 1953 British second feature ('B')[1] comedy film directed by Wolf Rilla and starring Barbara Kelly, Raymond Huntley and Ronald Howard.[2][3] It was written by Rilla based on the play of the same title by R. F. Delderfield.

Plot

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A retired RAF officer returns home to his sleepy little rural community with an attractive new American fiancée, to the initial resentment of his children.

Cast

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Production

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The film was made at Nettlefold Studios, Walton-on-Thames, England, and on location. Art direction was by John Stoll.[3] It was a rare early comedy from Anglo Amalgamated.[4]

Critical reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A slow moving and not very amusing screen version of R. F. Delderfield's domestic comedy. The playing on the whole is adequate, and Raymond Huntley, as usual, gives a polished performance."[5]

Kine Weekly wrote: "The picture, which depends more on situation and dialogue than action for its fun, is smoothly portrayed by Barbara Kelly, Raymond Huntley, Ronald Howard and a host of sound supporting players, and their sure timing more than atones for its lack of movement. Jolly and sentimentally refreshing, it makes its point without wearing out shoe leather."[6]

Picturegoer wrote: "Entertaining enough in parts, but so theatrical that you can almost hear the rattle of matinée teacups."[7]

Picture Show called the film "an amusing light comedy."[8]

TV Guide wrote: "Plodding domestic trifle."[9]

Sky Cinema said that the film provided "Raymond Huntley and Barbara Kelly (Bernard Braden's wife) with rare leading roles in a feature film. Huntley gets a chance to break away from his stuffy bureaucrats and he's a pleasure to watch."[10]

References

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  1. ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  2. ^ "Glad Tidings". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 24 December 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Glad Tidings! (1953)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016.
  4. ^ Vagg, Stephen (12 January 2025). "Forgotten British Moguls: Nat Cohen – Part One (1905-56)". Filmink. Retrieved 12 January 2025.
  5. ^ "Glad Tidings". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 20 (228): 149. 1 January 1953 – via ProQuest.
  6. ^ "Glad Tidings". Kine Weekly. 437 (2407): 14. 13 August 1953 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ "Glad Tidings". Picturegoer. 26: 21. 2 October 1953 – via ProQuest.
  8. ^ "Glad Tidings". Picture Show. 61 (1592): 10. 3 October 1953 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ "Glad Tidings". TVGuide.com.
  10. ^ "Glad Tidings". Sky Cinema. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017.
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