THE BEST HOUSE IN LONDON

UK, 1969, 107 minutes, Colour.
David Hemmings, Joanna Pettit, George Sanders, Warren Mitchell, Dany Robin, Martita Hunt, John Bird, Maurice Denham.
Directed by Philip Saville.

The Best House in London is a moderately successful British satire. written by the radio personality, Dennis Norden. Directed by Philip Saville, who has directed such films as the adaptations from the stage of Stop the World I Want to Get Off and Oedipus the King, it is very strong in atmosphere of Victorian England. It satirises the hypocrisy and the repressed evil under the surface of this society. David Hemmings was popular at this time and has a double role. George Sanders is perfectly cast as the suavely villainous hypocritical politician. There are a number of stars from British comedy in strong supporting roles giving the film some force.

1. An enjoyable British comedy? The British traditions of comedy and satire?

2. The Victorian era as the object of British satire? Its emphasis on externals and respectability, the various kinds of hypocrisy: social, manners, morals, political? How much of the film was accurate and telling satire? how much shrewd observation of foibles and self-deceptions of this period ? How much sheer humour on the period?

3. The importance of colour, decor, sets and costumes? An authentic feel and atmosphere of Victorian London?

4. The significance of the title, its euphemism for a brothel? Audience response to the theme, the title, the focus on the brothel and the implications as regards prostitutes, social concern, the concern and the hypocrisies of the era?

5. The intricacies and involvements of the plot? The echoes of 19th century romantic adventure novels? Serials? A mocking presentation of a Victorian story? The quality of Dennis Norden’s dialogue and wit? The quality of humour, parody, how well was it sustained?

6. The significance of David Hemming's portraying two characters? The two faces of the Victorian man - innocent naive hero, calculating hypocrite and exploiter? How well did he portray each character?

7. Benjamin as the innocent hero? His personality, his work as a publicity agent, his relationship with Josephine, his concern for the Women's Militant Organization, for the prostitutes? Benjamin as the gentleman? His being framed, victim? Victorian ideals and manners, love for Josephine? Plot, prison, release, dangers with Josephine? The details of character, the hero as humorous?

8. The contrast with Walter and the fiend? His relationship with Sir Frederick? Manners, suavity, respectable surface, evil, his management of clubs? His Victorian designs on Josephine? Thing and the ironic connection and ending? A satisfying contrast with Benjamin?

9. Josephine as earnest Victorian heroine? The new woman. Militancy, concern, social awareness? Her naivety, shrewdness? The ambiguities of this militant activism? The background of money, relationship with Benjamin and Walter and the contrast? Kidnapping, dangers? Her final decisions?

10. George Sanders' suave style as Sir Frederick and what he communicated as regards Victorian gentlemen and their hypocrisy, social status, wealth, manipulation? Lack of moral tone? His death and its implications?

11. The contribution of the gallery of minor characters: the prostitutes, the active women, the girls, the maids (and the maid's seduction?), the servants, the politicians, the clients, kidnappers?

12. The significance of the gallery of historical characters and the particular attitudes of Victoriana that they represented? Satisfying parody with these real characters?

13. The parody and the underlying issues of sexuality, drugs, violence. money, political power, power play, organizations?

14. The film's eye for detail, sophisticated veneer, parallels with present concerns?

15. How enjoyable, risque, of social value via parody?