For reasons best known to 1) himself, or 2) the person or persons to whom he sold the rights, writer-actor Reginald Beckwith was not featured in this 1949 adaptation of his 1940 hit play. Although it seems like he is the only English actor who wasn't wheeled out for this proction it only SEEMS that way and we look in vain for stalwarts like Sam Kydd, Vic Maddern, Alfie Bass et al. What we do get is Dirk Bogarde attempting an accent (in this case Welsh) as far beyond his capabilities as cockney was to Dick Van Dyke, the ubiquitous Jimmy Hanley, more wooden than Pinnochio, as ever, Dickie - all-I-want-is-a-knighthood- Attenborough, Jack Warner as the progressive governor, Thora Hird as mum and Barbara Murray as Little Nell. It passes the time painlessly enough and that's the best you can give it.
Review of Boys in Brown
