PRUDENCE AND THE PILL
UK, 1968, 92 minutes, Colour.
David Niven, Deborah Kerr, Robert Coote, Irina Demick, Joyce Redman, Judy Geeson, Edith Evans, Keith Michell.
Directed by Fielder Cook, Ronald Neame.
Prudence and the Pill was an attempt in the late sixties to gain humour from the contemporary discussions about birth control and pills. It is not particularly clever, relies rather on the traditions of French farce and mistaken identities. Some of the dialogue is quite enjoyable and gets a great emphasis from the stars. However, overall, the effect is rather flat.
David Niven and Deborah Kerr team together as they had done in Separate Tables, The Eye of the Devil and Casino Royale. Niven is particularly adept at making this kind of film succeed. There is an excellent supporting cast who act very well including Dame Edith Evans, Robert Coote and Joyce Redman, Keith Michel and Judy Geeson . The dialogue was probably somewhat risque at the time but probably seems rather dated now and at times there is also a coarse tone to the film. However, everything finishes up conventionally, especially with numerous babies on the horizon. Direction was by Fielder Cook who has not made very many films over the years but he went over time and budget and the film was completed by Ronald Neame.
1. The meaning and tone of the title, audience expectations? Reflection of the atmosphere of the sixties as regards sexuality, permissiveness?
2. The tone of the credits and the title? Indication of risque farce, overtones of permissiveness? Were these fulfilled?
3. Colour, English setting, the atmosphere of wealth? The London sequences and settings, the world of racing cars, the contrast with France? A collection of wealthy English society?
4. The importance of Gerald's narrative as setting a tone? David Niven's skill at this style of comedy and satire?
5. The portrait of Gerald and Prudence? The coldness of their marriage, the satire on their manners? The irony of his relationship with Elizabeth and its warmth, the revelation of Prudence and Dr Hewitt?
6. The presentation of the pill and discussion about it in the atmosphere of the late sixties compared with later? Its role in birth control, marriages? Changing attitudes towards the pill? The humour to he gained out of the farcical situation of mistaken identities of pills and aspirin?
7. Rose and her boyfriend and their contribution to the plot? The complications ensuing?
8. The portrait of Gerald and Tony, the franker younger generation, their relationship, yet focusing on one another with marriage and a child In view? Their openness about the baby and the contrast with the reaction of their parents especially at home and at the dinner table? Aunt Roberta’s difference?
9. The contribution of Aunt Roberta to the proceedings - the oldest generation, wealth and snobbery yet warmth? Her walking across the motorway? Her open attitudes towards the youngest generation?
10. Henry and Grace as representative of the middle-aged generation and facing the pregnancy, their reaction to their daughter's pregnancy? Old style morals especially for surface respectability?
11. The surface respectability of Gerald's and Prudence’s behaviour? Gerald checking up with Prudence especially about the doctor? Prudence and the discovery of the letter? How were each of them different with Elizabeth and Dr. Hewitt?
12. The farcical situation, identities and mistaken identities?
13. Where was there any human warmth and development of character - the attempt at more human treatment of the character of Elizabeth? Dr Hewitt, and his working with Gerald?
14. The humour of the ending with so many babies and their description? How was this important as being the tone and theme that the audience was left with? was this only an exploitive comedy or did it have something to say? and did it say it well or not?
