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.

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Films: November 11 - 17

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