Nigel Patrick and David Tomlinson play men on holiday at a chalet in the Alps, who are beguiled by Mary, who works there. Mary is played by the very attractive Jill Day, and you get to see the missteps, pratfalls and other mistakes they make for her affections. Also present is Kathleen Harrison as Nanny Cartwright, who, though on holiday like the two men, is called upon to nurse them back to health when they contract chicken pox. The humor is light, some mild slapstick, but its fun to watch and flows fairly well. Nothing terribly original, but a fun British comedy from the 50's which holds up over 50 years later. The best character ironically is not Mary but Nanny Cartwright, since she thwarts every attempt for the two men to get out of the quarantine they are in after they broke out into chicken pox. Filmed in color, its a nice way to pass the time.
9 Reviews
It takes a Swiss Miss to make a vacation like this!
mark.waltz9 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
With color photography that looks like something straight out of Currier and Ives, this British comedy is a light-hearted look at a skiing vacation gone wrong and two complete opposites who must deal with each other in spite of an obvious dislike and a rivalry for the pretty girl whom they both want to see you privately. Nigel Patrick and David Tomlinson are perfectly droll and lightly funny as they face the obstacles of being sick after arriving c
to this Swiss Chalet, both interested in the pretty Jill Day, but trapped by their officious nurse (Kathleen Harrison) who would quarantine everybody in the Chalet if it meant a continuous job. They do their best to try and fool the nanny/nurse who took care of Tomlinson as a child and now is desperate to keep herself busy and employed.
The gorgeous colors of this film will instantly entrance you once Patrick and Tomlinson get to the chalet after an awkward introduction on the airplane. in spite of how good Patrick and Tomlinson are as instant nemesis, it is Harrison who steals this film from the moment she appears. There are some moments of absurd comedy that hat will have you delighted with the special effects is that are utilized. It is ironic that Tomlinson, nine years later, would have to deal with a different nanny ironically named Mary, something to think about in the course of watching the film. But this nanny is just as sly, and certain motivations are revealed throughout the course of the film that have an ironic twist at the end.
The gorgeous colors of this film will instantly entrance you once Patrick and Tomlinson get to the chalet after an awkward introduction on the airplane. in spite of how good Patrick and Tomlinson are as instant nemesis, it is Harrison who steals this film from the moment she appears. There are some moments of absurd comedy that hat will have you delighted with the special effects is that are utilized. It is ironic that Tomlinson, nine years later, would have to deal with a different nanny ironically named Mary, something to think about in the course of watching the film. But this nanny is just as sly, and certain motivations are revealed throughout the course of the film that have an ironic twist at the end.
Almost saved by Jill Day
wilvram17 February 2018
Very typical of the sort of bland fare, though distinguished by colour and good production values, that Rank and the rival ABPC were turning out in the mid-Fifties, ALL FOR MARY suffers from a more emaciated script than usual.
Mildly amusing at times, it does provide a good role for Kathleen Harrison, much more assertive than usual as a nanny bossing two grown men with chickenpox at a ski resort, though the scenes tend to drag. David Tomlinson is a sort of upper-class Norman Wisdom, but Nigel Patrick, required to shout and bluster some of the time, is not seen at his best.
Film's main asset is the adorable and scintillating Jill Day, a popular singer of the time, as Mary, apple of the eyes of the two men, and comic foreigner Leo McKern. Beautifully dressed, her one vocal number is the highlight of the show and it is regrettable that the film industry didn't give her more opportunities.
Mildly amusing at times, it does provide a good role for Kathleen Harrison, much more assertive than usual as a nanny bossing two grown men with chickenpox at a ski resort, though the scenes tend to drag. David Tomlinson is a sort of upper-class Norman Wisdom, but Nigel Patrick, required to shout and bluster some of the time, is not seen at his best.
Film's main asset is the adorable and scintillating Jill Day, a popular singer of the time, as Mary, apple of the eyes of the two men, and comic foreigner Leo McKern. Beautifully dressed, her one vocal number is the highlight of the show and it is regrettable that the film industry didn't give her more opportunities.
Awful Mary
malcolmgsw6 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the best efforts of a distinguished cast they are unable to revive a truly unfunny script.It shows its stage origins all too clearly.Tomlinson and Patrick are potential skiers who find themselves on a skiing holiday both eyeing the charms of Jill Day.Unfortunately they both catch chicken pox and are quarantined by the management of the hotel.Tomlinsons ex nanny(Harrison) by chance has come for a two week holiday to the hotel.She falls back into her occupation and nurses them both.She makes sure at the same time that the rather doleful faced Tomlinson wins Jill Day.It is little wonder that the Rank Organisation were in such financial dire straits at the time of this film if this was the best that they can come up with.Even the marvelous Kathleen Harrison,second billed ,can do little in a rather thankless role.
There's Something About Kathleen Harrison
boblipton7 July 2023
Captain Nigel Patrick is spending his leave at a Swiss inn. His eye falls on innkeeper's daughter Jill Day. Imagine his chagrin when he falls ill with chicken pox, and has to spend most of his vacation in bed in the chalet's attic. Fortunately, his principal rival is namby-pamby David Tomlinson, who is also stuck in the attic with chicken pox. Unfortunately, their nurse is Tomlinson's old nanny, Kathleen Harrison.
It's a fair comedy, enlivened considerably by Miss Harrison performing well outside her usual personna, with a reasonably posh accent and an attitude suited to dealing with small children, with plenty of platitudes which enrage Patrick most amusingly. Leo McKern is on hand as a Greek with a Spanish accent who also has his eye on the lovely Miss Day; Lionel Jeffries plays the maitre d'hotel, and if it all seems a bit rote, that can be ascribed to its stage origins, decently opened up under the direction of Wendy Toye.
It's a fair comedy, enlivened considerably by Miss Harrison performing well outside her usual personna, with a reasonably posh accent and an attitude suited to dealing with small children, with plenty of platitudes which enrage Patrick most amusingly. Leo McKern is on hand as a Greek with a Spanish accent who also has his eye on the lovely Miss Day; Lionel Jeffries plays the maitre d'hotel, and if it all seems a bit rote, that can be ascribed to its stage origins, decently opened up under the direction of Wendy Toye.
What could have been funny instead sadly, becomes tedious.
planktonrules20 October 2021
Clive (Nigel Patrick) and Humphrey (David Tomlinson) both are heading to a vacation in the Swiss Alps. They meet on the plane and Humphrey is a bit annoying. Later, they find themselves at the same resort and get on each other's nerves. They also both set their same sights on the same woman. But instead of wooing her, they get chicken pox and a ridiculously annoying woman comes to take care of them. What's next?
I think had "All for Mary" been constructed a bit differently, it would have worked much better. Let me explain. First, nearly all the film takes place either in an airplane or inside a ski resort...and because of this, it seems very stagy...more like a play than a movie. Second, the film often spends too much time on the annoying sequences...particularly the Nanny bit in the attic of the resort. Instead of being funny, I wanted to see Clive do some ultra-violence on Nanny!! This leads to what is the biggest problem with the film....as too many instances of Clive and Humphrey being annoyed and these instances seem to go on and on. Their annoyances during the film slowly begin to annoy viewers as well.
I think had "All for Mary" been constructed a bit differently, it would have worked much better. Let me explain. First, nearly all the film takes place either in an airplane or inside a ski resort...and because of this, it seems very stagy...more like a play than a movie. Second, the film often spends too much time on the annoying sequences...particularly the Nanny bit in the attic of the resort. Instead of being funny, I wanted to see Clive do some ultra-violence on Nanny!! This leads to what is the biggest problem with the film....as too many instances of Clive and Humphrey being annoyed and these instances seem to go on and on. Their annoyances during the film slowly begin to annoy viewers as well.
All for Mary
CinemaSerf14 November 2022
Sadly, the whole here does not quite equal the theoretical sum of the parts. The humour starts off well enough as two men - "Capt. Norton" (Nigel Patrick) and the rather dapper "Humpy Miller" (David Tomlinson) meet on a plane to Switzerland. They don't exactly hit it off, and that situation only gets worse when they discover that they are staying in the same resort - and, finally, that they have both set their sights on the same lady "Mary" (Jill Day) before, wait for it - they both come down with chickenpox and are looked after by the undoubted star of the show, nanny "Cartwright" (Kathleen Harrison). What now ensues is a series of overly contrived, set-piece scenarios that see both men vying for the upper hand, and frankly, the humour falling down the cracks. Everyone is just trying just too hard here - from the writers to the director to the stars trying to make a cinematic silk purse out of a theatrical sow's ear. Harrison does salvage it to some extent, and it's quite an harmless watch - but it plays way too much to stereotype for me.
Don't miss Mary!
JohnHowardReid5 October 2007
An amusing charade with charismatic Kathleen Harrison in her element as the slightly built but overbearing nanny who bosses and cajoles two grown men as if they were little boys. David Tomlinson is also well cast as the milder of the "boys", although Nigel Patrick often manages to steal scenes with some splendid bits of riotous "business".
Nonetheless, despite all the fine efforts of this trio of laugh-makers, it's the exceedingly lovely Jill Day who really makes "Mary" a memorable experience. Aided by a stunning wardrobe, Miss Day makes her character so attractive, we can overlook the mistimed efforts of other players (particularly Leo McKern) and the occasional heavy-handed direction.
Alas, this is the second of only two movie appearances by the lustrous Jill. She was well-known as a singer at the time and fortunately our highly personable heroine is handed an opportunity to vocalize in "All For Mary" too. True, it's a somewhat inconsequential number, but who's listening?
Producer/screenwriter Paul Soskin has commendably gone to some expense to bring this most agreeable farce to the screen, using not only nice color photography but real Swiss locations as well.
Nonetheless, despite all the fine efforts of this trio of laugh-makers, it's the exceedingly lovely Jill Day who really makes "Mary" a memorable experience. Aided by a stunning wardrobe, Miss Day makes her character so attractive, we can overlook the mistimed efforts of other players (particularly Leo McKern) and the occasional heavy-handed direction.
Alas, this is the second of only two movie appearances by the lustrous Jill. She was well-known as a singer at the time and fortunately our highly personable heroine is handed an opportunity to vocalize in "All For Mary" too. True, it's a somewhat inconsequential number, but who's listening?
Producer/screenwriter Paul Soskin has commendably gone to some expense to bring this most agreeable farce to the screen, using not only nice color photography but real Swiss locations as well.
All for love
jarrodmcdonald-123 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The title character Mary is a beautiful attraction, but she is not the central focus. Mostly she just sets up the story, then reappears to remind viewers what the two male leads are competing over. Mary is played by Jill Day, a performer who had success as a pop singer.
Miss Day had only been in one feature prior to this, and in that earlier production she did a specialty number. So technically, this is her first major role in a motion picture. It seems as if she's been hired for her looks and her ability to croon a tune, since she has a musical number here too.
The lead male characters couldn't be more different from her, or from each other. But this discrepancy is undoubtedly intentional and gives the film much of its surreal charm. Nigel Patrick, who typically excels in dramatic parts, is cast as a blowhard sportsman who's vacationing at a Swiss chalet. When he meets Miss Day, he falls for her and decides she will be his latest game. However, a few obstacles get in the way. More on that in a moment...
The other male lead is played by David Tomlinson, who usually handles comedic roles. Tomlinson is cast as a rather meek guy, also staying at the Alpine resort, who falls for Miss Day too. He probably wouldn't stand a chance of getting the gal, except fate intervenes in a most peculiar fashion.
This is when both men suddenly come down with a case of the chicken pox. They are contagious and must be kept away from guests who haven't had the disease before. They are quickly moved into a secluded suite under quarantine together. Of course, the men dislike each other intensely and both intend to get well as soon as is humanly possible, to resume their respective pursuits of Miss Day.
But Tomlinson has an advantage. He summons his old childhood governess, called Nannie, to come nurse him back to health. She will help keep Patrick at a disadvantage in the pulchritude sweepstakes and work her magic to convince Day to choose Tomlinson.
The scenes were Nannie turns up at the inn and takes over are uproarious. A role like this has to be played by only the most skilled comedic actress. And since the producers have brought in eccentric Kathleen Harrison as Nannie, they've snagged one of the best.
Miss Harrison is so funny, so memorable with all her line deliveries, that she steals the picture. In addition to the antics, she provides a tender melancholy portrayal. We come to understand that Nannie thrives when she is feeling useful...she likes helping people and doesn't want this time to end.
Ironically, David Tomlinson would interact with another caregiver later, in the form of Mary Poppins. This movie is a pleasure to watch, and I am itching to see it again. Scratch that, I will re-watch it right now.
Miss Day had only been in one feature prior to this, and in that earlier production she did a specialty number. So technically, this is her first major role in a motion picture. It seems as if she's been hired for her looks and her ability to croon a tune, since she has a musical number here too.
The lead male characters couldn't be more different from her, or from each other. But this discrepancy is undoubtedly intentional and gives the film much of its surreal charm. Nigel Patrick, who typically excels in dramatic parts, is cast as a blowhard sportsman who's vacationing at a Swiss chalet. When he meets Miss Day, he falls for her and decides she will be his latest game. However, a few obstacles get in the way. More on that in a moment...
The other male lead is played by David Tomlinson, who usually handles comedic roles. Tomlinson is cast as a rather meek guy, also staying at the Alpine resort, who falls for Miss Day too. He probably wouldn't stand a chance of getting the gal, except fate intervenes in a most peculiar fashion.
This is when both men suddenly come down with a case of the chicken pox. They are contagious and must be kept away from guests who haven't had the disease before. They are quickly moved into a secluded suite under quarantine together. Of course, the men dislike each other intensely and both intend to get well as soon as is humanly possible, to resume their respective pursuits of Miss Day.
But Tomlinson has an advantage. He summons his old childhood governess, called Nannie, to come nurse him back to health. She will help keep Patrick at a disadvantage in the pulchritude sweepstakes and work her magic to convince Day to choose Tomlinson.
The scenes were Nannie turns up at the inn and takes over are uproarious. A role like this has to be played by only the most skilled comedic actress. And since the producers have brought in eccentric Kathleen Harrison as Nannie, they've snagged one of the best.
Miss Harrison is so funny, so memorable with all her line deliveries, that she steals the picture. In addition to the antics, she provides a tender melancholy portrayal. We come to understand that Nannie thrives when she is feeling useful...she likes helping people and doesn't want this time to end.
Ironically, David Tomlinson would interact with another caregiver later, in the form of Mary Poppins. This movie is a pleasure to watch, and I am itching to see it again. Scratch that, I will re-watch it right now.
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