A Touch of the Sun (1956 film)
{{short description|1956 British comedy film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name = A Touch of the Sun
| caption =
| image = A Touch of the Sun FilmPoster.jpeg
| director = Gordon Parry
| producer = Raymond Stross
| writer = Alfred Shaughnessy
| screenplay =
| story =
| based_on =
| starring = Frankie Howerd
Ruby Murray
Dennis Price
Dorothy Bromiley
| music = Eric Spear
| cinematography = Arthur Grant
| editing = Charles Hasse
| studio =Raymond Stross Productions
| distributor =Eros Films
| released = {{Film date|1956|11|12|df=y}}
| runtime = 80 minutes
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
A Touch of the Sun is a 1956 British comedy film directed by Gordon Parry and starring Frankie Howerd, Ruby Murray and Dennis Price.{{Cite web |title=A Touch of the Sun |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150043166 |access-date=12 November 2023 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}} It was written by Alfred Shaughnessy.
Plot
A hall porter is left a large inheritance by one of the residents. After taking a luxury holiday he takes over the failing hotel and begins running it himself.
Cast
- Frankie Howerd as William Darling
- Ruby Murray as Ruby
- Dennis Price as Digby Hatchard
- Dorothy Bromiley as Rose Blake
- Katherine Kath as Lucienne
- Gordon Harker as Sid
- Reginald Beckwith as Herbert Hardcastle
- Pierre Dudan as Louis
- Colin Gordon as Cecil Flick
- Richard Wattis as Purchase
- Alfie Bass as May
- Naomi Chance as Miss Caroline Lovejoy
- Miriam Karlin as Alice Cann
- Willoughby Goddard as Golightly
- Aïché Nana as belly dancer
- George Margo as Howard Cann
- Esma Cannon as Miss Tickle
- Lucy Griffiths as Aggie
Production
The film was made by the independent producer Raymond Stross, and shot at Nettlefold Studios, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, with sets designed by the art director John Stoll.
Critical reception
In a contemporary review Kine Weekly said "There is not much of a story, but Frankie Howerd improvises cleverly in the lead and the well-known supporting players also seize their chances. Colourful settings and catchy tunes put the finishing touches to a disarming romp. Very good."{{Cite journal |date=25 October 1956 |title=A Touch of the Sun |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2826279824 |journal=Kine Weekly |volume=474 |issue=2567 |pages=18 |via=ProQuest}}
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This ponderous comedy vehicle for Frankie Howerd and Ruby Murray exploits many well-worn farcical situations. The supporting players make the most of limited opportunities."{{Cite journal |date=1 January 1956 |title=A Touch of the Sun |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1305819738 |journal=The Monthly Film Bulletin |volume=23 |issue=264 |pages=157 |url-access=subscription |via=ProQuest}}
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Corny comedy does disservice to its talented cast."{{Cite book |last=Quinlan |first=David |title=British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 |publisher=B.T. Batsford Ltd. |year=1984 |isbn=0-7134-1874-5 |location=London |pages=391}}
Leslie Halliwell wrote: "Limp comedy vehicle."{{Cite book |last=Halliwell |first=Leslie |title=Halliwell's Film Guide |publisher=Paladin |year=1989 |isbn=0586088946 |edition=7th |location=London |pages=1044}}
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "Try as he might, Frankie Howard just couldn't crack movies. This was his fifth feature after he made his name on radio's Variety Bandbox, but the harder he mugged, the less amusing he became."{{Cite book |title=Radio Times Guide to Films |publisher=Immediate Media Company |year=2017 |isbn=9780992936440 |edition=18th |location=London |pages=952}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|0049868}}
{{Gordon Parry}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Touch Of The Sun}}
Category:Films directed by Gordon Parry
Category:Films scored by Eric Spear
Category:Films shot at Nettlefold Studios
Category:1950s English-language films
Category:British black-and-white films
{{1950s-UK-comedy-film-stub}}