HALF A SIXPENCE

UK, 1967, 146 minutes, Colour
Tommy Steele, Julia Foster, Cyril Richard, Penelope Horner, Elaine Taylor, Grover Dale, Pamela Brown.
Directed by George Sidney.

Half A Sixpence was an attempt in the 60s to revive British musicals. Tommy Steele was popular in films at the time - with The Happiest Millionaire and Finian's Rainbow. American director George Sidney, who had made such classic musicals as The Harvey Girls, Annie Get Your Gun, Showboat - was brought over to England and brought some vitality and verve to the musical. However, critics were very hard on the film and it was not the success that it was hoped to be.

It is an adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel "Kipps", filmed in the early 40s by Carol Reed with Michael Redgrave. The treatment is light, the themes of the original novel about social class and wealth are quite strong. There is a lot of
energy in the singing and dancing in the film. Julia Foster is an attractive heroine and veteran stage star Cyril Richard has an important role as Mr. Chitterlow. Half a Sixpence, in retrospect, is quite an enjoyable and well-made musical.

1. The appeal of this film, for families? Its conventions as a musical, its qualities, as a comedy? A British musical in comparison with American musicals?

2. The film's being based on a classic novel, the transition from serious novel to musical, how well achieved?

3. The importance of Panavision and colour, sets and costumes, choreography and songs?

4. The importance of the prologue and the title? The indication of the theme, the irony of the themes? The Half a Sixpence song? The songs' being integrated into the plot and the themes? The importance of the lyrics?

5. How attractive a character was Kipps? Tommy Steele's style? Attractive, the orphan, the hard life, a life of work, his friendliness, memories of Anne, simplicity, dislike of Shagwell, friendship with Sidney and company? The song illustrating this?

6. The character of Ann? How well was she delineated? A happy kind of person? with her half sixpence? Her love for Kipps? Her fighting with him at the beach? Its comic side and yet its serious overtones? The fact that she was separated from Kipps?

7. How humorous a character was Chitterlow? His sudden intervention on the bicycle in the shop? His invasion of Kipp's life? The lavish presentation of the banjo song? its purpose, choreography? The repercussions in terms of money for the happy ending of the film?

8. The attractive heroine? Her woodwork classes, her status, her love for Kipps, his admiration for her, the subjective way in which he saw her, as stately and regal? How attractive was her character?

9. The irony of money and the theme of how money changes people? Kipps and his travels? The visual presentation of these by mans of postcards? His lavish car? The fact that he was bored? The contrast with his early way of life in the shop?

10. The importance of his strolling in the park, listening to the band, the fiasco of his tea with the family? The song She's Too Far Above Me?

11. How enjoyable was the regatta sequence? The song of Rain on Sunday? The song about the race itself? The implications of Kipps being involved with the upper-class group? The pressure of the brother? Their only using him? The contrast with his old friends?

12. The climax of the dinner and the tirade against the family and their pretensions? How well was the psychological pressure built up by Kipp's attitude towards the meal? The discovery of Ann as a servant and her dismissal? The people at the dinner and their pretensions, being exposed? Audience response to the attack on snobbery?

13. The contrast with the happiness of the marriage to Ann? The song What A Picture and its choreography?

14. Why was Kipp's ambitious to build such a great house? The fights with Ann? Her song of I Know What I Am?

15. The sudden impact of having no money? The disillusionment with the family and the brother's escaping to Europe? The heroine and her alcoholic concession of the truth?

16. The impact of the truth on Kipps? His fantasy about his involvement with all the people and their pursuing him? Laughing at him? A visual and credible presentation of his outlook and the means of his reconciliation with Ann?

17. The acceptance of a modest happiness and future with Ann? The enjoyment of Chitterlow's play being a success?

18. How well were the characters drawn? Kipps and Ann? Chitterlow and his friends? The men in the shop? (As revealed by their singing and dancing also?) The rich family?

19. How well did the film in its musical comedy way, explore the themes of individuals, society, class, wealth, foolishness, happiness?