A TV set given as a retirement present is sold on to different households causing misery each time.
Stanley Holloway
Sam Hollingsworth / Mr Lucifer
Peggy Cummins
Kitty Norton
Jack Watling
Jim Norton
Kay Kendall
Lonely Hearts Singer
Ian Carmichael
Man Friday
Joan Sims
Fairy Queen
Gordon Jackson
Hector
Dandy Nichols
Mrs. Clarke
Ernest Thesiger
Mr. Macdonald
Jean Cadell
Mrs. Macdonald
Joseph Tomelty
Mr. Pedelty
Barbara Murray
Patricia
Humphrey Lestocq
Arthur
Charles Victor
Mr. Elder
Olive Sloane
Mrs. Stannard
Raymond Huntley
Patterson
Frank Pettingell
Mr. Roberts
Irene Handl
Lady with the Dog
Gladys Henson
Lady in the Bus
Roddy Hughes
Billings
Eliot Makeham
Edwards
Bill Fraser
Band Leader
Molly Hamley-Clifford
Mrs. Ensor
Toke Townley
Trumpet Player
Fred Griffiths
Removal Man
Herbert C. Walton
Cockney Customer in Pub
Gilbert Harding
Self - Guest Artiste
MacDonald Hobley
Self - Guest Artiste
Geoffrey Keen
Mr. Lucifer (voice)
John Boxer
Mr. Theobald - Accountant in Office (uncredited)
Diane Cilento
Woman in Street (uncredited)
Edie Martin
Deaf Lady (uncredited)
A.E. Matthews
Self (uncredited)
Lee Patterson
American Sailor (uncredited)
Johnnie Schofield
Trap Door Stage Hand (uncredited)
Director
Anthony Pelissier
Writer
Monja Danischewsky
Writer
Arnold Ridley
December 27, 2016
4
The Devil's Goggle Box.
Meet Mr. Lucifer is directed by Anthony Pelissier and adapted to screenplay by Monja Danischewsky from Arnold Ridley's (later to play private Godfrey in the long running situation comedy) Dad's Army) play (Beggar My Neighbour). It stars Stanley Holloway, Peggy Cummins, Jack Watling, Barbara Murray, Joseph Tomelty, Humphrey Lestocq and Gordon Jackson. Music is by Eric Rogers and cinematography by Desmond Dickinson.
Out of Ealing Studios, Meet Mr. Lucifer is one of that great studio's lesser lights. Homing in on a sort of fear of the new home entertainment of the 50s, that of the TV set, plot features a television set that moves from owner to owner and causes nothing but trouble for said owners. This of course is the work of Old Nick himself, here essayed with a glint in his eye by Holloway. Sadly the attempts at satire miss the mark, leaving us with a somewhat uneven mix of comedy and seriousness. On the plus side it opens the eyes to the iffy quality on the TV in the early 50s, while there's a roll call of fine British actors in the supporting (cameo) slots.
Interestingly the Ealing hierarchy were very wary of the themes at the core of the picture, which explains why Pelissier was fetched in to direct. Knowing they themselves were uncommitted to the production goes some way to explaining the flat feel to it all. 5/10
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00