TO DOROTHY A SON
UK, 1954, 84 minutes, Black and white.
John Gregson, Shelley Winters, Peggy Cummins, Wilfred Hyde- White, Mona Washburn, Joan Sims, Joan Hickson, Alfie Bass.
Directed by Muriel Box.
To Dorothy a Son is one of the many short-length films that served as features in the UK during the '50s, as well as supporting features throughout the world at the same time. The film is slight, shows England in its immediate post-war period in the '50s, the relationship between the US and the UK. It also has a picture of marriage, divorce, family and babies? There is the contrast of the high life in New York City with the ordinary life in London and in the Suffolk countryside. The film capitalises, for its comedy, on the quaint touches of the British character. Peggy Cummins gives a strident performance as Dorothy. Shelley Winters mugs as Myrtle. It is up to John Gregson to keep the whole proceedings on an even keel, but he is hard-put because of Dorothy's whims. There are good character performances by Wilfrid Hyde-White? and other British character actors who were to be the staple of British film and television for the next decades.
1. A '50s British comedy, entertaining, stilted in its style?
2. The black & white photography, London, Suffolk, the contrast with New York City?
3. The cast and their interactions, the musical score, the songs, American glamour, the contrast with Britain?
4. Tony and his writing music, his life with Myrtle, their marriage in Tonga, the divorce in Bolivia? Each going their own way, Tony marrying Dorothy and changing his name, continuing to compose, Dorothy's pregnancy? Her whims, their having no money, the nurse coming in daily, the landlord taking the furniture, the producer ringing? The garage and its mix-ups? The chats with the phone exchange? Tony and his frustrations?
5. Myrtle as the goodtime girl, her singing and rehearsing in New York City, the marriage in Tonga, the tour, divorce in Bolivia, her career, boyfriend? The will, the lawyer explaining things, her decision to go to London to search for Tony, the advertisements, Mr Stark? Going to the private investigator, the phone book, the phone calls, the visits and their frustrations? Her using her wiles with Tony when she found him, staying at the inn and exerting her glamour, finally telling the truth about the nature of the will?
6. Dorothy, strident, moods and whims, jealous of Myrtle? The birth - and twins?
7. Mr Stark and Wilfrid Hyde-White's style, supporting Myrtle, the golf, realising the time limit in Tonga for valid marriages? The nurse and her accidents on the bike, her practical kindliness? The driver turning up and not being needed? The proprietor of the inn and his bossy wife? The gossip at the phone exchange?
8. The conditions of the will, the timing, the time zones, daylight saving? Each being willing to share with the other?
9. A pleasant British comedy of the period, a typical vehicle for the stars and cast? British domestic issues in films of the time?
