BROTHERS IN LAW
UK, 1957, 94 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Attenborough, Ian Carmichael, Terry-Thomas?, Jill Adams, Miles Malleson, Raymond Huntly, Eric Barker, Nicholas Parsons, John Le Mesurier, Irene Handl, Leslie Phillips.
Directed by Roy Boulting.
Brothers in Law is based on a popular novel by lawyer Henry Cecil. It was produced by the Boulting Brothers and directed by Roy Boulting. The Boultings made a number of very popular comedies in the 50s and 60s, taking up current social issues: Private’s Progress, Heavens Above, I’m All Right, Jack.
Many of these films starred Ian Carmichael as does this one. He is perfect at playing a genial character who at times is a silly ass type but who has some kind of integrity. Terry-Thomas?, in one of his earlier popular roles, is a self-confident villain who is able to advise his lawyer how to win his case. Richard Attenborough, who had worked for the Boultings especially in the version of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock, is Carmichael’s roommate. Jill Adams is the love interest who has rented the room upstairs in the block of flats. A lot of character actors appear: Miles Malleson as the head of the legal firm, Raymond Huntly as a prosecutor, Nicholas Parsons as a friend who loves cars, John Le Mesurier as a judge – who has a very funny scene instructing Richard Attenborough to try to get information from Irene Handl who continues to answer in the vaguest of possibilities.
A typical film of the 1950s from Britain, a comedy of life in England at the time.
1.The popularity of this kind of film in its time? Popularity later?
2.Black and white photography, London settings, the law courts, flats, bars? The visit to the countryside? Authentic atmosphere? The musical score?
3.The title, Henry and Roger as vying for the attentions of Sally, but being comrades in their law work?
4.Roger, his vicar father, his doting mother? Their sacrifices to get him into the university? His years of study, his graduation? His not being particularly bright? The connection with his reputable uncle? The connections for the firm? His approaching Mr Grimes, Mr Grimes and his absentmindedness, Roger saving him from being run over? Grimes giving him the job as a student lawyer? Giving him the briefs, leaving him in the court? Roger and his office, sharing rooms with Henry? Advice from Henry? The sympathetic judge guiding him with the answers through the case? His hopes, research? His getting a brief from Sally’s father? His loss of the case because of the client not turning up? His watching Henry in court? The discovery of Sally, the attraction, taking her out for a meal? The rivalry with Henry? Roger and his going down into the country, Henry losing his wig, Roger having to conduct the case, his interrupting the judge because his mother was on the jury, the judge and his rebuke, his later apology? His shrewdness in the cross-examination, the prosecuting lawyer offering compromise? Everyone applauding? An interesting character – but caught when Sally drove off with their friend Charles?
5.Henry, his legal background, friendship with Roger, sharing the flat? His scene in court with the judge and trying to get answers out of the reluctant woman? His attraction towards Sally, keeping her a secret from Roger? Roger’s one-upmanship? Going to the country, Henry losing his wig, late for court? With Roger watching Charles drive off with Sally?
6.The character actors from the English screen and the pleasant contributions to the film: Miles Malleson and the absentminded lawyer giving work to his students? Raymond Huntly as the sardonic prosecutor? Eric Barker as the assistant, keeping the office running, giving advice in the courts? John Le Mesurier as the judge – and the farce of the golf match with Roger and Henry? Irene Handl as the woman in the dock? Olive Sloan as the woman wanting a divorce? Nicholas Parsons as Charles?
7.The ingredients for popular English comedy, English humour? An echo of life in London in the 50s?
