GOOD TIME GIRL

UK, 1948, 81 minutes, Black and white.
Jean Kent, Flora Robson, Dennis Price, Herbert Lom, Peter Glenville, Bonar Colleano.
Directed by David Mac Donald.

Good Time Girl was well reviewed on its release just after World War Two. It was the kind of British film that was popular then, showing glimpses of real life and exploring social issues. Jean Kent appeared in many of these films. Flora Robson gives a very good performance as a social worker.

The slum backgrounds of such girls as Gwen is well sketched in, poverty, squalid background, the world of the gangster. There is also some criticism of the Juvenile Courts and institutions for juveniles. Though dated In its presentation, the film makes interesting comparisons with contemporary treatments of such social Issues.

1. Significance and tone of the tile, its ironies, the way that it was illustrated throughout the film? The moralizing tone?

2. The style of the film as a British production of the post-war period? Black and white photography, atmosphere of realism, locations and atmosphere? How successfully communicated?

3. The film as social criticism and comment on London in the post-war period? The background of criminals, criminal offence, slums, poverty, injustice? The juvenile courts and institutions, treatment and effect on people?

4. The moralizing background of the film? The structure of the social worker and her warnings? The flashbacks? The impact of this moralizing at the time, now?

5. The portrait of Gwen? The overall impact? Sufficient explanation of her background, parental way of life, values? The film's attention to detail in portraying her background? What kind of girl was she? Strengths and weaknesses? The title?

6. The series of events in which Gwen was involved? How was she used, temptations to go worse? The men in her life and their attitudes towards her, her toughness in surviving? Hard and bitter?

7. Comment on the portraits of the people who used her, the various criminals? The characters Max, Jimmy, etc.? Their way of life, money, crime?

8. The portrayal of the juvenile school, Gwen and her place there, the other girls. the hostilities, authority figures? The effect on Gwen?

9. How convincing were the sequences when she went to the worse? How responsible was she? Who was to blame?

10. The advisor and her understanding of Gwen, her advice? As giving some kind of strength and moral basin to the film?

11. The portrayal of the juvenile courts and the harshness of atmosphere, the effect on people?

12. How relevant is the portrait? the message now?