Sylvia Syms was no starlet - from the first (and "My Teenage Daughter
was her first role) she had leads and good ones. "My Teenage Daughter"
(for probably publicity reasons changed to "Teenage Bad Girl" for
American distribution) was a prestigious Herbert Wilcox production and
starring his wife, the legendary Anna Neagle. He had seen Syms in a
television play and thought she would be ideal as the rebellious Jan.
Sylvia remembered Anna and Herbert with so much affection - while her
salary wasn't big they gave her every luxury, built up her part as the film
progressed and then at the end Anna insisted on her having equal billing.
She was overwhelmed by their kindness. Herbert Wilcox, he of the
sparkling musicals and sophisticated romances of the 30s and 40s,
probably felt the need to get "with it" in the 1950s and put his name to
this quite good j.d. movie of 1956.
Jan (Syms) seeming to belong to an ideal family (hard working single mother, cute sister, doting aunt and a frisky dog) goes to her first party in a dress her mother scrimped and saved for. Here she meets Tony, an older sophisticate who sweeps her off her feet by taking her to clubs and introducing her to coffee, jive and dry martinis. In the meantime mum Val (Neagle) is working her way up the corporate ladder and is given a promotion as editor of the new "Teen Age" magazine. She really hasn't a lot of time for her daughter but is still horrified when Jan arrives at the launch party in a sophisticated cocktail dress from her mother's wardrobe with Tony, who is obviously a spiv, in tow. Kenneth Haigh gives a very taut and true performance as the troubled Tony and it stood him in good stead as he went straight into the West End production of "Look Back in Anger" originating the role that Richard Burton later played in the movie.
From now on it's a case of one step forward, two steps back as Val tries to recapture the elusive bond that she once shared with Jan. Fortunately she has found Hugh (Norman Wooland) who even though single has an understanding of rebellious youth who have had their young lives torn apart because of the war. For an instant Tony shows a softer side but then he is heavied by thugs wanting money that he owes them. Jan is confidant that she can get the money but when she becomes involved in a massive row with her mum, they take off towards Tony's Aunt Louisa and a date with destiny......
No, she wasn't a bad girl but the film was originally "My Teenage Daughter" which makes more sense and the mother definitely wasn't bad although she got a dressing down from the judge at the end. The irritating thing about a few of these movies ("Cosh Boy" ect) is the presumption that a dependable man is going to be the answer!!
Very Recommended.
Jan (Syms) seeming to belong to an ideal family (hard working single mother, cute sister, doting aunt and a frisky dog) goes to her first party in a dress her mother scrimped and saved for. Here she meets Tony, an older sophisticate who sweeps her off her feet by taking her to clubs and introducing her to coffee, jive and dry martinis. In the meantime mum Val (Neagle) is working her way up the corporate ladder and is given a promotion as editor of the new "Teen Age" magazine. She really hasn't a lot of time for her daughter but is still horrified when Jan arrives at the launch party in a sophisticated cocktail dress from her mother's wardrobe with Tony, who is obviously a spiv, in tow. Kenneth Haigh gives a very taut and true performance as the troubled Tony and it stood him in good stead as he went straight into the West End production of "Look Back in Anger" originating the role that Richard Burton later played in the movie.
From now on it's a case of one step forward, two steps back as Val tries to recapture the elusive bond that she once shared with Jan. Fortunately she has found Hugh (Norman Wooland) who even though single has an understanding of rebellious youth who have had their young lives torn apart because of the war. For an instant Tony shows a softer side but then he is heavied by thugs wanting money that he owes them. Jan is confidant that she can get the money but when she becomes involved in a massive row with her mum, they take off towards Tony's Aunt Louisa and a date with destiny......
No, she wasn't a bad girl but the film was originally "My Teenage Daughter" which makes more sense and the mother definitely wasn't bad although she got a dressing down from the judge at the end. The irritating thing about a few of these movies ("Cosh Boy" ect) is the presumption that a dependable man is going to be the answer!!
Very Recommended.