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What the Butler Saw
What the Butler Saw
Directed by	Godfrey Grayson
Screenplay by	A. R. Rawlinson; E. J. Mason
Based on	An original story by Roger and Donald Good
Produced by	Anthony Hinds
Starring	Edward Rigby
Cinematography	Walter J. Harvey (as Walter Harvey)
Edited by	James Needs
Production; company	Hammer Films
Distributed by	Exclusive Films
Release date	June 1950;
Running time	60 mins
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

What the Butler Saw is a 1950 British second feature ('B')^[1] comedy film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Edward Rigby, Henry Mollison and Mercy Haystead.^[2]^[3] The screenplay was by A.R. Rawlinson and E. J. Mason, from an original story by Roger and Donald Good. It was made by Hammer Films.^[4]

Plot

The Earl, having retired as the Governor of a British-owned tropical island, returns home to finds that Lapis, the daughter of the island's king, has stowed away in his luggage. She has fallen in love with his butler, Bembridge. Together, they try to keep her hidden and get her out of the country.

Cast

Edward Rigby as the Earl
Henry Mollison as Bembridge
Mercy Haystead as Lapis
Michael Ward as Gerald
Eleanor Hallam as Lady Mary
Peter Burton as Bill Fenton
Anne Valery as Elaine
Howard Charlton as Perks
Alfred Harris as Bishop
George Bishop as the General
Norman Pitt as policeman

Reception

Picturegoer wrote: "Edward Rigby's picture. Without him this latest effort by Exclusive Films would creak badly. But even his wonderful wit cannot prevent it from being dull and slow in parts. Few of the situations are original. ... Henry Mollison does not always show the poise associated with a good butler."^[5]

Picture Show wrote: "Farcical comedy, directed without subtlety, acted with liveliness."^[6]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Rigby's valiant efforts keep farce going."^[7]

References

^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
^ "What the Butler Saw". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
^ "What the Butler Saw". BFI. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009.
^ Heffernan, Kevin (2004). Ghouls, gimmicks, and gold: horror films and the American movie business, 1953–1968. Duke University Press. p. 45. ISBN 978-0822332022.
^ "What the Butler Saw". Picturegoer. 20: 17. 1 September 1950 – via ProQuest.
^ "What the Butler Saw". Picture Show. 55 (1432): 12. 9 September 1950 – via ProQuest.
^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 398. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.