SOMETHING MONEY CAN'T BUY
UK, 1952, 82 minutes, Black and White.
Patricia Roc, Anthony Steel, A.E,Matthews, Moira Lister.
Directed by Pat Jackson.
Something Money Can't Buy is a picture of post-war Britain. It shows the man in the armed forces floundering when he gets out, in a routine job, willing to take risks to build up a business - and ultimately succeeding. However, he finds he has to compete with his very efficient wife. She has played the role of mother but has more energy and, in order to support the family and its hopes, she starts an agency and is very successful.
The film highlights the tension in marriages in the post-war years, the expectations and stereotypes and role reversals which emerged. It is an interesting perspective on the '50s and the interpretation of the changing times.
1. Interesting drama? Of its time? The perceptions of men and women and their roles? Breaking stereotypes?
2. Black and white photography, the atmosphere of World War II, the post-war era in England? The British cast and their roles in so many films of the period? The musical score (by Nino Rota)?
3. The title, the focus on money and getting on with jobs, payments, homes? The quotation at the end with Anne and Harry dancing?
4. The focus on the birth of the children at the beginning of the film? The father's waiting, the mother in hospital - and not knowing what had happened in the birth? The brisk comments of the nurse? The expectation that the film would be about children - and the film moving away from this expectation?
5. Harry, his love for Anne, his wariness about the child? Posted to Germany, the lifestyle, his efficiency in his work, collaborating with his friends? The decision to leave the service? Looking for a job, the routine work at the office, being instructed by the secretary, going out into the field? The tension with Anne? Her being at home, the children, the flat, her ordering him about? Her challenge to him as not having any gumption? His taking the risk, going on the road, meeting the earl? The auction, his ingenuity in buying the kitchenware? His ambitions for the Roving Restaurant? Getting his friends, the capital, Diana and her father's support? Anne and her support for him? On the road, people not going to the restaurant? Diana arranging the party - people hungry, the service? The growing orders for the film set, weddings etc? The bureaucracy and its regulations? The final confrontation with Anne, jealousies, suspicions, stereotypes? His finally arranging to meet her at the restaurant - the happy ending, hopes for the future?
6. Anne, the birth of the children, her playing the piano, in Germany? The return, setting up the flat, her briskness and taking control? Her parents, the children? The kindly landlady? The dissatisfaction with Harry, challenging him? Going to the concert at the Albert Hall? The contrast with his playing cricket and returning home late? Her girlfriend and setting up the agency, her skills, the jobs, building up the money, paying back the loan? Harry and the jealousy, her jealousy of Diana? Finally meeting Diana - and the happy ending?
7. Diana and her father, the chance meeting with Harry, the auction, the idea, their support?
8. Harry's friends, demobbed, what to do after the war, a job, their collaboration?
9. The picture of the changed economic situation? The roles for men and women? The repercussions for family and children?
