THE LITTLE HUT
UK, 1957, 78 minutes, Colour.
Ava Gardner, Stewart Granger, David Niven, Walter Chiari, Finlay Curry, Jean Caddell, Richard Wattis.
Directed by Mark Robson.
The Little Hut is based on a French play by Andre Roussin. It has that Gallic sense of naughtiness, so prominent in the comedies of this period. But it is in the context of British properness, prim and proper surface, touches of smouldering under the surface.
The film establishes itself with the British aristocracy, Ava Gardner playing the wife of a knighted sailor, played in a different fashion from his usual roles by Stewart Granger. David Niven is more like his other screen performances as the aristocratic friend, in love with his friend’s wife. They flirt a great deal – which is not picked up by the rather stolid husband.
After establishing the situation, with a visit from Niven’s parents, a clergyman played by Finlay Curry and his wife, Jean Caddell, the wife persuades her husband to take them on voyage on his ship. They hire an Italian chef played by Walter Chiari in his first film. And then they are shipwrecked.
Despite the odds, all the conveniences seem to be washed ashore so that the trio lives very comfortably. Granger is all practicality, setting up all kinds of conveniences and useful gadgets, also keeping a log. Gardner seems to be enjoying herself. But Niven is by himself in the little hut and proposes a situation whereby Granger, as captain of the ship, is able to grant a divorce and then marry the new couple. It doesn’t quite work out this way. And then Chiari turns up masquerading as a local native. All quite farcical.
This is one of Ava Gardner’s most attractive performances. David Niven always has good timing and a comic touch. Stewart Granger play something of the opposite of his usual screen presence, rather than an adventurer, he is a touch of the stolid British obsessive.
1. Comedy of the 1950s? Enjoyed with the retrospect? How would it be filmed in later decades?
2. The film based on a play, French, the variation on bedroom farces? The adaptation to British characters and British properness of the 1950s?
3. British government officials, Henry and his role in the foreign office, the aftermath of the Coronation and the dig at British bureaucracy and inefficiency? His attraction to Susan, regret that she married Philip? The visit of his parents, his father a clergyman, their surprise at his behaviour, Susan’s presence?
4. Philip, on travels, his attitude towards marriage, love to his wife, yet British to the core? Susan and Philip trying to make him jealous? Playing a game and kissing? His benign interpretation?
5. Susan, frustration, urging full Philip to take them on the voyage? Henry coming? The cook and his meals?
6. The storm, Philip handling it, the wreck, stranded on the island? Most things being washed ashore – for their convenience and use?
7. On the island, Philip and all his building, the big hut, the little hut, the gadgets? Food available? Comfort and conveniences? Living as if at home?
8. Susan and Philip, romantic, the big hut? Henry, jealousy, taking Philip’s shoes, love for Susan, the proposal, her being shocked, angry at Philip and his comment about her attraction to men, urging Henry to discuss the possible divorce? Philip thinking it over, agreeing, his official role, the declarations? The issue of the hut?
9. Henry, wanting to get into the big hut, Susan’s resistance, the dog preventing him? Sleeping outside?
10. Henry and Philip, friendship, clashes? Philip and his orderliness, keeping the log?
11. Smelling the fish, the cook turning up disguised as a native, initially not recognising him, in the hut with Susan, her urging him to keep up the joke? His return, the rescue boat arriving?
12. Back home, Philip and Susan together, Susan pregnant, the chef as the butler? Henry having to accept reality?
13. The entertainment of this kind of farcical representation of characters and situations?
