This is an excellent film in so many ways. I would argue Hay's best film, although it does not have the warmth of the earlier films, which are so much more "cosey". In fact this is quite dark and disturbing, perhaps too much so for some viewers. There are so many gems here, especially Hay's opening verbal sparring with the cynical, weary, seen it all, magistrate: Hay: "Well at least I leave this court without a stain on my character!". Magistrate: "Your Mummy and Daddy in heaven will be the best judge of that!" Comparable scenes ensue in the Coroner's Court, when Hay is astonished to hear an Old Bailey Judge described by a witness (so he mistakenly thinks) as one of the lads of the village. Safety Wilson and his den are marvellous, as is Hulbert throughout. Mervyn Johns is completely unhinged as Grimshaw and the scenes in the lunatic asylum are bizarre and disturbing. This is Hay comedy at its blackest and arguably most effective.
Review of My Learned Friend
