Rattle of a Simple Man
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Founder | Muriel Box (director), Charles Dyer (playwright) |
| Products | Comedy-drama film |
Rattle of a Simple Man is a 1964 British comedy-drama film helmed by director Muriel Box, featuring performances by Diane Cilento, Harry H. Corbett, and Michael Medwin. The screenplay, penned by playwright Charles Dyer, is an adaptation of his 1962 theatrical work La Crécelle (Rattle of a Simple Man).
The narrative centers on Percy Winthram, an innocent 39-year-old man from Northern England, who journeys from Manchester to London to attend the FA Cup Final. After placing a £50 wager, he ends up spending an evening with Cyrenne, a prostitute based in Soho, exploring themes such as naivety and social discomfort.
Cast
- Diane Cilento portraying Cyrenne
- Harry H. Corbett as Percy Winthram
- Michael Medwin in the role of Ginger
- Thora Hird as Mrs. Winthram
- Charles Dyer playing Chalky
- Hugh Futcher as Ozzie
- Carole Gray as district nurse
- Barbara Archer in the role of Iris
- David Saire portraying Mario
- Alexander Davion as Ricardo
- John Ronane playing Willie
- Michael Robbins as George
- George Roderick in the role of Papa
- Marie Burke as Mama
- Bryan Mosley appearing uncredited as Mr. Stratton
- Marianne Stone as barmaid
- Brian Wilde in the role of Fred
Production
Sydney Box came out of temporary retirement to purchase the rights to the play for £50,000.[1] Originally, Box aimed to cast Peter Sellers in the lead role; however, his asking price was beyond budget.[2]
Box office
The movie did not achieve commercial success.[2]
Critical
According to Variety, much of the original play’s warmth and charm was lost in the film version, although Diane Cilento’s spirited portrayal stood out amid an otherwise limited ensemble effort.[3]
The Monthly Film Bulletin remarked that the adaptation transformed the play’s intimate two-character focus into melodramatic territory, with Harry Corbett delivering an overly exaggerated performance; nevertheless, Cilento’s acting was commended for enhancing the overall material.[4]
Leslie Halliwell categorized it as a typical farce extended beyond its natural duration, supported by modest yet adequate production standards.[5]
The Radio Times Guide to Films assigned it a rating of 2 out of 5 stars, criticizing the excessive sentimentality that diluted comedic elements; Corbett’s interpretation was considered unconvincing, although his interactions with Cilento provided some charm.[6]
Sky Movies described it as an occasionally humorous and heartfelt vignette about a northern football enthusiast and a London-based prostitute, praising Cilento’s authentic performance and Corbett’s departure from his typical roles.[7]
External links
- ↑ Pearson, Kenneth. "Sydney Box company makes a bid for British Lion Films." Sunday Times [London, England] 29 Dec. 1963: [1]. The Sunday Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedbox - ↑ "Advertisement". Variety. January 1964.
- ↑ "Rattle of a Simple Man". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 31 (360): 151. 1 January 1964.
- ↑ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 839. ISBN 0586088946.
- ↑ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 757. ISBN 9780992936440.
- ↑ "Rattle of a Simple Man". Find and Watch.
- 1964 films
- 1964 comedy-drama films
- 1960s sex comedy-drama films
- 1960s English-language films
- British association football films
- British black-and-white films
- British films adapted from plays
- British sex comedy-drama films
- Films portraying dysfunctional families
- Films addressing prostitution in the United Kingdom
- Films exploring virginity
- Films directed by Muriel Box
- Films set in London
- Films filmed at Associated British Studios
- 1960s British films
- Films with scores by Stanley Black
- English-language sex comedy-drama films
- Films shot at Associated British Studios