THE FAST LADY
UK, 1963, 95 minutes, Colour.
Leslie Philips, Stanley Baxter, James Robertson Justice, Julie Christie, Kathleen Harrison, Dick Emery.
Directed by Ken Annakin.
The Fast Lady is a British comedy about cars, with many of the standard tales about cars, driving licences, tests, races, accidents. It was written by Jack Davies who was to collaborate with the director Ken Annakin for These Daring Young Men in Their Flying Machines and Those Daring Young Men in their Jaunty Jalopies. Annakin, a British director of many comedies and dramas as well as Disney films, was to go on to make more spectacular films in the 60s.
James Robertson Justice and Leslie Philips continue the British style of comedy of the 50s, especially the Doctor films. Scot comedian Stanley Baxter is enjoyable in the central role of the hero. Julie Christie, in one of her earliest films, makes a striking impression.
1. Entertaining British comedy of the 60s? Cars?
2. The British countryside, the roads, cars and stunts, score?
3. The title, reference to cars, women, relationships of men and women?
4. Murdoch: the Scot, his character, riding the bike, the accident, the challenging of the driver, the landlady and her looking after him? His manner, strong and gentle? Meeting with Clare, the discussions with her Father? Fox, his advice, the lady's man? The arranging of the date, Clare's response? Her riding in the car with Fox? Murdoch persuaded by Fox to buy his car? The driving lesson and the chaos? The drive, confronting a policeman, in court, Clare's Father, contempt of court? A bet with Clare's father on driving to and from the destination, his driving, the accidents, the winning of the bet? The date, the beach and the kiss? The final test, his doing well, the mistakes, thief and the chase, the police, the happy ending?
5. Fox, the man about town, with the girls, friendship with Murdoch, inviting him, his car sales job, trying to lot the agency, coaching Murdoch, selling him the car, the driving test, in court, kowtowing to Clare's Father? The end and the girl?
6. James Robertson Justice and his usual style, gruff and arrogant, his relationship with Clare, pushing Murdoch off the bike, not wanting him around the house, driving over the bike? The bet and the driving to and fro, his losing the bet, the uphill contest? His being the magistrate and Murdoch's contempt of court? The final following of the thieves, his declaring his pleasure with Murdoch?
7. Clare, attractive heroine, bored, rich, attracted to Murdoch, going out with him the kiss, the date, the finale?
8. The landlady, her fussing about Murdoch?
9. The guest stars, especially the pratfalls during the final chase?
10. The minor characters; the policeman, the licence tester, Hie members of the driving school?
11. Pleasant blend of romance and laughs?
