The Belles of St. Trinian's

Overview

Belles of St. Trinian's was the first of several British comedies inspired by the fear-inspiring girl's school created by cartoonist Ronald Searle. The girls of St. Trinian's aim their deviltry at a gang of crooks who plan to steal a famous race horse. Alastair Sim wraps up the proceedings with his dual portrayal of the school's severe headmistress (!) and her bookmaking twin brother. Also worth watching is veteran supporting player George Cole, who makes a tidy profit on the alcoholic beverages produced in the girls' science lab, and toothy Joyce Grenfell as a diligent lady constable. Like most of the subsequent "St. Trinian's" farces, Belles of St. Trinian's was a joint effort of the producer/director/writer team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat.

Product Details

Release Date:	07/09/2015
UPC:	0644827622825
Original Release:	1954
Source:	Reel Vault
Language:	English
Sales rank:	22,060

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Alastair Sim	Millicent Fritton/Clarence Fritton
Joyce Grenfell	P.W. Sgt. Ruby Gates
Hermione Baddeley	Miss Drownder
George Cole	Flash Harry
Vivienne Martin	Arabella
Eric Pohlmann	Sultan of Makyad
Lorna Henderson	Princess Fatima,Miss Holland
Betty Ann Davies	Miss Waters
Renee Houston	Miss Brimmer
Beryl Reid	Miss Dawn
Balbina	Mlle. de St. Emilion
Diana Day	Jackie
Arthur Howard	Wilfred Woodley
Lloyd Lamble	Supt. Kemp-Bird
Barbara Windsor	Actor
Jill Braidwood	Florrie
Annabelle Covey	Maudie
Pauline Drewett	Celia
Jean Langston	Rosie
Guy Middleton	Eric Rowbotham-Smith
Richard Wattis	Manton Bassett
Irene Handl	Miss Gale
Mary Merrall	Miss Buckland
Sidney James	Benny
Joan Sims	Miss Dawn

Technical Credits

Sidney Gilliat	Producer
Frank Launder	Producer,Director

Editorial Reviews

Ronald Searle's cartoons featuring the devilish girls of St. Trinian's School have some of the same ghoulish humor that marked the best work of American cartoonist Charles Addams. The Belles of St. Trinian's fudges that sense of ghoulishness somewhat, both by concentrating more on the characters played by Alastair Sim and by seeming afraid to go far enough in displaying the blackness of the girls' hearts. As a result, the film is less satisfying and less distinctive than it should have been. Having said that, however, it is still a very amusing and diverting afternoon's entertainment. And while focusing on Sim robs the film of some of its impact, it does allow the audience to be entertained by one of the British cinema's most delightful character actors. Sim's headmistress is a wonderful comic creation; she is sly, crafty and selfish but would be genuinely appalled were she ever to think such adjectives were being applied to her. There's an innocence to her which is appealing, and contrasts neatly with the oiliness of her brother (also played by Sim). While the screenplay doesn't provide Sim with first rate material, he makes the absolute most of what he is given. He is ably supported by the dependable Joyce Grenfell, and the rest of the large cast fills their parts most capably. Belles was followed by a number of sequels.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler