The film that marked a new dawn at Cinesound - the Frank Harvey era, when he started writing scripts. There were other elements too but basically the whole studio became much more professional.
It's a little creaky, the pacing is off sometimes, but it's a warm affectionate movie. Cecil Kellaway is a lovely star - affable family man, slyly comic, fond of a drink, a little ditzy but not dumb. I enjoyed his impression of a koala bear. The vehicle adjusts around his persona - a Bert Bailey or George Wallace version of this would be far broader.
The film pokes gentle fun at the culture clash - Kellaway struggling to deal with a butler (Harvey Adams), getting drunk in the manor. Nellie Ferguson doesn't have much to do as Kellaway's wife. Shirley Ann Richards is green but lovely as Kellaway's daughter - photogenic, looks pretty, has a lovely warm relationship with her dad.
John Longden is a little too old for the love interest but at least he can act. He's a writer hero (Frank Harvey's influence? Carl Dudley's?)
There's impressive spectacle with a fox hunt and a ball. The film is actually best in its dramatic moments - the snobbery encountered by the family, whether the meanness from Frank Harvey's lord (shoving them in a library during a dinner party when they realise who they've invited - this is well done), the casual snobbishness of Aussies abroad (Campbell Copelin and his mother are tremendous fun), Harvey and Kellaway realising their sons died in the same day (lovely moment with a little lonely lady also putting down a wreath - she's not attached to the story, it's just lovely flavour) and bonding. Harvey Adams is funny as the butler and its great he goes to Australia at the end.
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