TROTTIE TRUE

UK, 1949, 98 minutes, Colour.
Jean Kent, James Donald, Hugh Sinclair, Bill Owen, Andrew Crawford, Lana Morris.
Directed by Brian Desmond Hurst.

Trottie True is a light British period comedy drama. It is typical of so many of the films coming from Britain in the late '40s and early '50s. Jean Kent, often the villain, has a much more sympathetic role as the heroine. The supporting cast includes a young James Donald and Michael Medwin, Lana Morris and Hattie Jacques appearing in a small part. The setting is the turn of the century, the colour photography and costumes are attractive. The story is slight - a rags to riches story and the testing of true love. Direction is by Brian Desmond Hurst, director of many British films at this period.

1.The title, the focus on Trottie, portrait of a woman at the turn of the century, in her period?

2.British atmosphere, costume design, style and flavour, the period? Colour photography? Songs and the musical score?

3.The flashback structure, Trottie's decisions, the ending and her going with her husband?

4.The little girl, her parents, the party, the theatre, her audition, performance - and her standing up to the heckling audience? Joe and his friendship, looking after her? Her success, growing up, inviting people to sing, a star of the provinces? Her fellow workers? The invitation to London, to the Gaiety Theatre?

5.A woman of ambitions, an entertainer? Sid and the balloon, crashing into the garden, his clothes being mended and the meal? His accompanying Trottie, the attraction, sharing ideas and vision, falling in love? Opportunities for Trottie, the entrepreneur and the dinner, the clash with Sidney, the decision to break with him?

6.Her girlfriend at the gaiety, sharing notes, jewels, attentions of men, the aristocracy?

7.Landon and his friend, their views on the Gaiety Girls, exploiting them, the meeting, sharing, the proposal, Trottie's accepting, the wedding, her singing and entertaining the guests? Her in-laws and their disdain, acceptance of her? Her fitting into this social life?

8.Her friend's wedding, the fuss, the visitors, Trottie thinking and remembering her story - and going off with her husband?

9.A sketch of a period, people, opportunity? British tone?