Fly Away Peter (1948 film)

Mr and Mrs. Hapgood are a middle-aged middle-class suburban couple, with four children. Mr Hapgood is unassertive; Mrs Hapgood is possessive. Each of the children leave home either to work abroad or to marry, much to he dismay of Mrs Hapgood. Eventually, when the youngest daughter is willing to stay at home for the sake of her mother's happiness, Mrs. Hapgood realises that she must accept the inevitability of the break-up of the family.

• Patrick Holt as John Nielson
• Margaret Barton as Myra Hapgood
• Peter Hammond as George Harris
• Frederick Piper as Mr Hapgood
• Kathleen Boutall as Mrs Hapgood
• Nigel Buchanan as Arthur Hapgood
• John Singer as Ted Hapgood
• Elspet Gray as Phyllis Hapgood
• Josephine Stuart as Dandy

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Based on the play of the same name, the film, which is little altered, remains necessarily static. There is, however, the same neat dialogue and quiet insight into ordinary domestic affairs that characterised the play, and although not in essence a film – the three acts are still too clearly defined, for one thing – Fly Away Peter is painstakingly made and entertaining. The best performance undoubtedly comes from Margaret Barton as the wholly practical and delightful younger daughter; but she is run a very close second by Peter Hammond in his study of her amiable boy friend."{{Cite magazine |date=1 January 1948 |title=Fly Away Peter |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1305810020 |url-access=subscription |magazine=The Monthly Film Bulletin |pages=138 |via=ProQuest |volume=15 |issue=169}}

Kine Weekly wrote: "Margaret Barton as Myra has quite a way with her and should go far. Frederick Piper and Kathleen Boutall are true to type as Mr and Mrs. Hapgood, but a few of the supporting players are a trifle stiff. The film is one of words rather than deeds, but its lifelike leading characters move easily about the parlour and extract pleasing sentiment and wholesome laughter from its fireside theme. Of much the same kidney as Dear Octopus, its family and popular appeal is confidently assured. It's the first woman's featurette to come out of Highbury."{{Cite magazine |date=14 October 1948 |title=Fly Away Peter |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2732611745 |url-access=subscription |magazine=Kine Weekly |pages=20 |via=ProQuest |volume=380 |issue=2163}}

Picture Show wrote: "Unpretentious, agreeable little suburban domestic drama, showing the concern of a fond father and possessive mother when their children leave the parental nest to try their wings. It is acted with understanding and directed with humour,"{{Cite magazine |date=11 December 1948 |title=Fly Away Peter |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1880310554 |url-access=subscription |magazine=Picture Show |pages=11 |via=ProQuest |volume=53 |issue=1356}}

Picturegoer wrote: "Simple, homely humour is the keynote of the film."{{Cite magazine |date=6 January 1949 |title=Fly Away Peter |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1776994426 |url-access=subscription |magazine=Picturegoer |pages=14 |via=ProQuest |volume=18 |issue=}}

The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Pleasant family entertainment. ...Puppy-love romance of Margaret Barton with Peter Hammond is easily the brightest part of the picture."{{Cite magazine |date=11 October 1948 |title=Fly Away Peter |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/2594752619 |url-access=subscription |magazine=The Daily Film Renter |pages=9 |via=ProQuest |volume=18 |issue=5766}}

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Rather stagey but agreeable little picture."{{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=208}}

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Category:1940s British films

Category:1940s English-language films

Category:1948 films

Category:British black-and-white films

Category:Films directed by Charles Saunders