The Weak and the Wicked

The Weak and the Wicked

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1954
Founder	J. Lee Thompson, Joan Henry, Anne Burnaby
Products	Drama film

The Weak and the Wicked (known in the U.S. as Young and Willing) is a 1954 British drama film directed by J. Lee Thompson featuring performances by Glynis Johns and Diana Dors. The screenplay, crafted by Anne Burnaby, Thompson, and Joan Henry, is adapted from Henry's 1952 autobiographical novel Who Lie in Gaol. The narrative explores the experiences of women prisoners, focusing on themes such as criminality and rehabilitation.

Plot

Jean Raymond, hailing from an affluent family, develops a gambling addiction despite the objections of her boyfriend, Michael Hale. After Michael becomes a qualified doctor, he insists that Jean either abandon gambling or end their relationship. Jean continues her habit, resulting in their separation.

Jean accrues debts at an illegal gambling establishment run by Seymour. When she refuses to provide collateral, Seymour threatens her. Lacking income, Jean accepts employment at a dress shop in Knightsbridge through her friend Pam, who unbeknownst to Jean works for Seymour. Pam steals Jean’s cigarette case and plants it as evidence to implicate her in insurance fraud. Consequently, Jean is arrested and sentenced to a year in prison.

While incarcerated at Blackdown Prison, Jean encounters fellow inmates including Betty Brown, imprisoned for defending her boyfriend; Nellie Baden, a habitual offender; Babs Peters, who lost custody of her child due to neglect; and Pat Anderson, who is expecting a child.

Michael visits Jean but soon accepts a medical position in Northern Rhodesia. Believing her criminal record prevents their future together, Jean encourages him to leave. She completes her sentence.

Jean is transferred to "the Grange," an experimental open prison emphasizing rehabilitation and trust. There she reunites with Betty Brown, who attempts an escape during a supervised outing but voluntarily returns. Both women face disciplinary measures for this first escape attempt in the institution’s history.

Following Jean’s release, Michael resigns his post in Africa and they reunite.

Development

Joan Henry was a writer connected with high society who spent eight months imprisoned for passing a forged cheque, asserting she was wrongfully accused. She experienced both Holloway Prison and the more progressive open prison Askham Grange under the supervision of Mary Size. Henry documented these experiences in her 1952 bestselling book Who Lie in Gaol.

Director and writer J. Lee Thompson read Henry’s memoir and pursued adapting it into a film, securing support from Robert Clark, head of production at Associated British. Thompson later married Henry after separating from his previous family.

The British Home Office refused to collaborate on the project due to dissatisfaction with how prisons were depicted.

Diana Dors was cast shortly after serving a sentence for stealing liquor, marking a departure from her typical comedic roles into more dramatic territory. Simone Silva, another cast member, was primarily recognized for glamorous parts.

Shooting

Filming took place at Elstree Studios and on location in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, starting 10 August 1953 under the working title Women Behind Bars. Mary Size and Joan Henry acted as consultants during production. Henry considered Johns a capable actress but somewhat "goody-goody".

Critical

The Monthly Film Bulletin acknowledged the film's intriguing concept but criticized its depiction of women as overly simplistic and lacking depth or empathy.

The New York Times referred to the production as "a tepid drama."

Variety characterized it as "a conventional formula designed for box office appeal."

In The Radio Times Guide to Films, Sue Heal awarded the movie 3 out of 5 stars, noting its blend of societal critique and melodramatic elements, bolstered by a strong ensemble cast featuring a standout performance by Diana Dors.

David Quinlan, in British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959, rated the film as "average," pointing out the use of familiar character archetypes and an idealized portrayal of prison life.

Leslie Halliwell described it as a "predictable anthology drama supported by dependable acting."

Steven Vagg, writing for Filmink, observed that the film played a role in altering public perceptions of Diana Dors.

Box office

According to Kinematograph Weekly, the movie was a financial success at the British box office in 1954. The National Film Finance Corporation confirmed that it yielded a satisfactory profit.

Estimates suggested that Associated British earned between $75,000 and $100,000 from the U.S. market.

Legacy

Joan Henry later authored the 1954 novel Yield to the Night, which Thompson adapted into a 1956 motion picture starring Diana Dors. Subsequently, Henry and Thompson married.

External links

• The Weak and the Wicked at BFI