Best Of British (16-20)

As Long As They're Happy (1955) 

The Red Shoes (1948)

Hue And Cry (1947)

Don't Take It To Heart (1944)

Young And Innocent (1937) ///

As Long As They're Happy (1955) Fitfully amusing, game cast make most of thin material as staid Jack Buchanan finds family life turned upside down by arrival of popular US crooner. A few bright musical numbers and roster of Rank stars sees traditional values restored.

The Red Shoes (1948) Celebration of art and creativity, a dark tale of psychological abuse and control, with visually thrilling mix of dance and drama. Molded by Anton Walbrook's svengali-like promoter, Moira Shearer is torn between life and ballet. Designed and told with mastery.

Hue And Cry (1947) From inventive opening titles to finale with hundreds of kids running through damaged, post war London, an exuberant comedy as East End kids discover villains using comic strips to plan crimes. Suffused with a vivid sense of culture and distinctive visuals.

Don't Take It To Heart (1944) Often frantic comedy with a German bomb dislodging a ghost who decides to rectify past misdeeds and defeat corrupt developers. Richard Greene and Patricia Medina supply the romantic core as various eccentrics populate the local village. Fitfully amusing.

Young And Innocent (1937) Hitchcock's technical mastery and storytelling exuberance provides a giddy mix of comedy and thrills along with the virtuosity of individual set pieces. Flimsy narrative features the luminous Nova Pilbeam helping wrongly accused Derrick De Marney. The pleasure is in the detail and textures.

Films: August 25 - 31

En man som heter Ove (A Man Called Ove) (2015)

Prince Avalanche (2013)

Escape Clause (1996)

The Strange Woman (1946)

Behave Yourself (1951)

Trucker (2008)

The Battle Of The Sexes (1960)

Boulevard (1994)

The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea (1976) ///

En man som heter Ove (A Man Called Ove) (2015) Outwardly cantankerous and intolerant, misanthropic Rolf Lassgård finds plans to commit suicide upended by new neighbour Bahar Pars and family. Tart humour balances broken emotions that reverberate from past. Observant and full of humanity.

Prince Avalanche (2013) Low key, affecting character study, as reluctant friendship develops between two roadworkers, disciplined Paul Rudd and impulsive Emile Hirsch, isolated in remnants of forgotten landscapes. Generously told, natural, brittle humor turns to earned feeling.

Escape Clause (1996) Convoluted if uncomplicated, blunt social message on iniquitous methods of medical insurance crowbarred into revenge tale as edgily superior Andrew McCarthy doubts fidelity and intentions of wife before suspected of her murder. Thriller without thrills.

The Strange Woman (1946) Noir-drenched period melodrama, as irresistible Hedy Lamarr tears her way through Maine society, broken emotions and bodies in her wake. Expressive visuals amp the over-heated narrative, Louis Hayward and George Sanders flailing behind dynamic, modern lead.

Behave Yourself (1951) Flat-footed screwball comedy never builds comic momentum, undermined by bland visuals and unconvincing Farley Granger, who accidentally brings home a dog chased by criminals. Killings and confusion mount, Shelley Winters and solid support cast provide energy.

Trucker (2008) Affecting low-key melodrama, as drifting Michelle Monaghan finds independence threatened when young son Jimmy Bennett comes to stay. Combative relationship is well pitched, though visuals feel too styled and story beats predictable. Fine cast inhabit their characters.

The Battle Of The Sexes (1960) Gently ironic clash of modern business strategies and obstinate tradition as mild accountant Peter Sellers clashes with assertive Constance Cummings when she advises Robert Morley on his inherited Scottish textiles company. Adroit mix of verbal and physical comedy.

Boulevard (1994) Queasy confusion of sisterhood independence and sleazy exploitation as battered Kari Wuhrer is taken in by streetwise prostitute Rae Dawn Chong. Lou Diamond Phillips and Lance Henriksen are among the men ready to exploit. Rough stylings match grim atmosphere.

The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea (1976) With its rigid formalism and attractive visuals, obscure story of Oedipal confusion is deliberately disquieting and confronting. Charismatic Kris Kristofferson is sailor who enters life of needy widow Sarah Miles. Brutally uncompromising.