Raising a Riot (1955) User Reviews

More of Ken's cheerful charm

[davidallen-84122 · 7/10 · 4 September 2021]

Only three other user reviews here which surprises me considering Kenneth More's popularity in the 1950's.

I have to agree that the film is no more than amusing when viewed today and even grates at times.

Ken remains one of my favourite actors and I still really enjoy my large DVD collection of his films.

That said , they are not all as good as "Genevieve","Doctor in the House","Reach For the Sky","The Admirable Crichton" ''North West Frontier" etc.and I must admit that "Raising a Riot" depends entirely on Ken's undeniable charm which is an unreasonable ask. The only copy I could acquire is of very poor picture quality ; a re-mastered edition may help.

If you are a Kenneth More fan like me , watch "Raising a Riot" then follow it up with one of his better films.

Forgotten family fun classic

[tim-oliver · 24 April 2017]

I saw this rare film theatrically on a re-release in the late 1960's and loved it. Well, I was about the same age as the boy in the film, so I really connected to the characters. I remember the wonderful vivid colour photography and overall fun story of a family (without mom) having multiple disasters on holiday in an old windmill. I think I may have seen this on BBC TV once in the 1970's, but that was it. The film appears to have completely disappeared. I wonder why? Anyway, I recommend it if you ever have a chance to see it. Kenneth More delivers as always, as does the entire cast. I do have an unofficial DVD from an old VHS copy of an old VHS recording and can only dream of seeing it properly again remastered in HD.

I hate to give this movie a one, but I have no choice!

[JohnHowardReid · 1/10 · 2 October 2017]

Copyright 1955 by Wessex Film Productions. U.S. release through Continental Distributing: May 1957. New York opening at the 72nd Street Playhouse: 7 May 1957. U.K. release through British Lion: around April 1955. Australian release through Universal: 22 November 1956. 8,260 feet. 91 minutes.

SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant Commander Anthony Kent, RN, has just returned home on leave after three years abroad when his wife Mary is called away to visit her sick mother in Canada. Tony decides to take their three children, Peter, Anne and Fusty (against the wishes of Aunt Maud, who wants them to stay in her London flat) to his father's newly acquired country retreat. This turns out to be a dilapidated windmill which "Grampy" is in the process of renovating. After giving the family a cool reception, he carries on with his work, while Tony sets about getting the family settled in and preparing supper. In the days that follow, his inexperience causes a succession of disasters.

NOTES: Number 8 at the British box-office for 1955, the film was nowhere near as successful elsewhere, though it still raked in a fair amount of money. ITV Studios announced a DVD, but I'm not sure if this actually appeared on the market.

COMMENT: Although feminists have now elevated this dreary little movie to cult status (simply because of the director's gender), it stubbornly remains a dreary little comedy. The only attractive things about it are the Kentish locations at Conyers Creek and the introductory credit titles featuring caricatures of the crew: Bruce Montgomery ("Edmund Crispin" to me) is an organ-grinding monkey, Miss Toye a fairy queen ballerina. Other than these japes "Raising a Riot" is deadly.

OTHER VIEWS: This extremely heavy-handed "comedy" is of no use to those of us who require even the faintest whiff of subtlety in our screen fare. Only Ronald Squire manages to give the forced and thoroughly predictable proceedings a bit of zing with his typically put-down delivery. As for the plot — dull daddy does the domestic chores whilst mummy's away — with its toilet humor and obvious slapstick, I'd like to tell Dalrymple and company what they should have done with it. As for the direction, much as I'd like to say something helpful, I'm afraid the director's lack of prowess is beyond remedy. — JHR writing as George Addison.

Truly awful

[malcolmgsw · 2/10 · 21 February 2020]

I fully endorse Me Reefs comments about this lame attempt at comedy.The children are intensely irritating and getting through to the end of this film is a real effort.