Reel Britannia

Fancy a playdate that's to die for? Join Mumsy, Nanny, and their darling (if slightly overaged) Sonny and Girly! This charmingly unhinged family just adores making new friends and luring them back to their quaint estate for endless games. Just remember: follow the rules, or it's permanent naptime! Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly (1970) Get ready for a rollicking, if rather unnerving, trip to the countryside with Freddie Francis's 1970 cult delight, "Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly"! Forget your typical family get-togethers; this aristocratic British clan, tucked away in their gloriously crumbling Gothic pile, has a very peculiar idea of fun, and it's all part of their never-ending, ever-so-slightly lethal "Game." Meet the players, won't you? There's Mumsy (Ursula Howells), the lady of the manor, whose honeyed tones could charm the birds from the trees – right before she plots their untimely demise. Then we have dear old Nanny (Pat Heywood), ever loyal, ever simmering, and a stickler for the family's rather unique traditions. And who could forget the children? Sonny (Howard Trevor) and Girly (Vanessa Howard) are grown-ups who've hit the pause button on maturing, preferring school uniforms and a particularly sinister brand of playtime. Their favourite pastime? Inviting charming chaps, affectionately dubbed "New Friends," back to their secluded estate for a jolly good… well, let's just say it rarely ends with a polite thank-you note. You see, these "New Friends" quickly discover that their weekend invitation comes with a few rather peculiar house rules. They're expected to join in the family's whimsical, if decidedly menacing, games. Pop a clanger, try to leg it, or generally spoil the fun? Well, that's a one-way ticket to "meeting the angels," a quaint family euphemism for a rather permanent departure, often captured on Sonny's home movie camera for a bit of fireside entertainment. The film wastes no time in showing us how previous guests have fared – it's not pretty, but it's frightfully inventive! Now, the real sport begins when a particularly sharp "New Friend" (the rather dapper Michael Bryant) wanders into their web. Unlike the others, this chap's got his wits about him. He starts to notice the little cracks in this picture of domestic bliss: the glint of jealousy between Mumsy and Nanny, the oddly chummy vibes between Sonny and Girly, and young Girly's rather blossoming, if thoroughly confused, interest in him. Our clever "New Friend" decides it's time to shake things up a bit, playing the family members off against each other like a maestro of mischief. He turns on the charm, especially with the ladies, and watches the sparks fly! Girly's head over heels, Mumsy sees a new star for her manipulative little shows, and Nanny? Well, Nanny's green-eyed monster is having a field day. Sonny, bless his cotton socks, just wants things back to the way they were and gets increasingly tetchy. As our "New Friend" pulls the strings, the once-sacred rules of "The Game" get hilariously, and then dangerously, twisted. It's not the captive causing the chaos anymore; it's the captors themselves, all clamouring for his attention and a slice of the power pie. The previously united, if terrifyingly bonkers, family starts to come apart at the seams, tumbling towards a climax that's as wildly entertaining as it is darkly satisfying. "Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly" is a cheeky poke at the old stiff upper lip and the very idea of a 'proper' family, all wrapped up in a deliciously dark and witty package. It's less about the blood and guts and more about the spine-tingling giggles and the sheer audacity of a household where innocence and insanity go hand-in-hand. So, if you fancy a film that's truly one of a kind, step into their parlour – just be sure you know the rules of "The Game"! "In a happy family, you must always have rules."   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven  

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. And a huge welcome back to Hal, contributer of wonderful reviews at the official Talking Pictures Podcast as well as host of his very own show Couple Indemnity. Hold onto your snorkels! In Thunderball, suave spy James Bond jets off to the sun-drenched Bahamas. Why the holiday? Because the villainous, eye-patch-wearing Largo of SPECTRE has pinched two atomic bombs and is holding the world to ransom! 007 must navigate treacherous waters, both literally and figuratively, charming allies like the stunning Domino while dodging Largo's aquatic thugs. Get ready for thrilling underwater battles, cool gadgets, and Bond proving that even a nuclear crisis can't cramp his impeccable style. It's a high-stakes game of global poker, and Bond's all-in! Thunderball(1965) In 1965's Thunderball, James Bond, played with maximum cool by Sean Connery, finds himself in a pickle when the notoriously nasty organization SPECTRE, specifically their number two main man, the delightfully devious and eye-patch-sporting Emilio Largo, makes off with two atomic bombs. Their asking price for not reducing a major city to a fine powder? A cool £100 million in diamonds.  Naturally, Her Majesty's Secret Service dispatches their best man, 007, who, after a rather explosive pre-title sequence involving a man in drag and a handy jetpack, tracks the villainy to the vibrant, sun-drenched Bahamas. Bond's mission quickly turns into a tropical tango of espionage. He crosses paths with the alluring Domino, who just happens to be Largo's mistress, and the fiery SPECTRE operative Fiona Volpe, who prefers lethal motorcycles to leisurely strolls. Armed with Q's latest toys – including gadgets perfect for underwater shenanigans – Bond dives headfirst into Largo's world, which is, conveniently, based around a superyacht and a rather shark-infested estate. The film culminates in an absolutely bonkers underwater battle royale, proving that fisticuffs are just as effective below the waves as they are on dry land. With the fate of a major city hanging in the balance, Bond and his newfound allies engage in a fin-tastic clash against Largo's scuba-equipped forces. Will Bond recover the bombs, get the girl, and deliver a perfect one-liner before the credits roll? You know the answer, but the fun is in watching him do it with effortless charm and a never-ending supply of air tanks!  "My dear girl, don't flatter yourself. What I did this evening was for King and country. You don't think it gave me any pleasure, do you?"   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod  Follow Couple Indemnity @coupleindemnity   Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.     This week, vintage British drama as a tranquil English village is torn apart by anonymous letters accusing residents of scandalous misdeeds. Suspicion and paranoia escalate, leading to tragic consequences, as the community struggles to uncover the culprit and restore harmony.     Episode 166 - Poison Pen (1939)   All episodes at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia     Poison Pen (1939) turns the tranquil charm of an English village into the backdrop for a juicy mystery! The drama kicks off when anonymous letters, brimming with scandalous gossip, start popping up in mailboxes. These “poison pen” notes stir up chaos, revealing secrets (and maybe even lies) that set tongues wagging and suspicions soaring. Reverend Rider (Reginald Tate) and his sister Mary (Flora Robson) do their best to soothe the panic, encouraging everyone to rise above the drama. But resisting the intrigue proves harder than it seems! Even Rider's daughter Ann (Ann Todd) isn't spared, with her fiancé David (Geoffrey Toone) caught in the crossfire. The letters keep coming, fanning the flames of mistrust and upending friendships. In a shocking twist, Connie Fateley (Catherine Lacey), a shy seamstress, is wrongfully accused of writing the letters. Heartbreaking consequences follow, but the mystery deepens as the letters continue, leaving the village reeling and desperate for answers. Though dark moments linger, the story keeps you hooked as it explores themes of trust, community, and the havoc wreaked by unchecked gossip. Beneath the mystery is a compelling cautionary tale about the impact of words and the resilience of human connections. With its gripping twists, Poison Pen delivers a captivating mix of tension, drama, and a reminder to think twice before judging others—wrapped up in the atmosphere of classic British cinema!       "So last night wasn't enough for you, you little Jezebel?"   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven      

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.     This week, more classic British kitchen sink drama with the tale of Jo,  a bold working-class teen who  discovers strength in unexpected places. After a brief romance leaves her pregnant, she bonds with Geoff, a kind gay art student. Together, they challenge conventions, showing the power of love, resilience, and humanity in the face of social prejudice.     Episode 165 - A Taste of Honey (1961)   All episodes at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia         A Taste of Honey (1961), directed by Tony Richardson, is a groundbreaking British film that explores themes of poverty, identity, and unconventional relationships. Adapted from Shelagh Delaney's play, it is a cornerstone of the "kitchen sink realism" movement, portraying working-class life with raw honesty.   The story follows Jo, a spirited yet vulnerable teenager living in a grimy Salford flat with her neglectful, self-absorbed mother, Helen. Their strained relationship is marked by Helen's pursuit of men and alcohol, leaving Jo to fend for herself emotionally and materially. When Helen marries her wealthy but boorish suitor, Peter, Jo is left alone and begins a tender romance with Jimmy, a black sailor.   Their fleeting relationship results in Jo's pregnancy, but Jimmy departs, leaving her to face an uncertain future. Jo finds solace in Geoffrey, a kind-hearted gay man who becomes her roommate and surrogate family. Together, they create a fragile sense of stability, defying societal norms. However, Helen's return disrupts their fragile harmony, forcing Jo to confront her fears and independence.   With gritty cinematography and a poignant jazz score, A Taste of Honey captures the struggles and resilience of its characters, offering a compassionate yet unflinching look at marginalized lives in post-war Britain.   "Look at that. It's dead. A bit of love, a bit of lust, and there you are. We don't ask for life. We have it thrust upon us."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven    

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism This week...more from the great Hammer studios as they craft a chilling tale of deceit and madness. A presumed-dead heir resurfaces, unraveling sinister family secrets. Gothic suspense intertwines with psychological twists, as greed, guilt, and identity collide in a haunting inheritance drama. Starring Oliver Reed and Janette Scott.   Paranoiac (1963) Where secrets fester and madness reigns—welcome to the Ashby estate, where paranoia is just the beginning Paranoiac (1963), directed by Freddie Francis and produced by Hammer Films, is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into themes of identity, deception, and madness. Loosely based on Josephine Tey's novel Brat Farrar, the film is set against the backdrop of a wealthy but dysfunctional British family, the Ashbys, whose lives are marred by tragedy and secrets. The story begins with the Ashby siblings, Simon and Eleanor, living under the care of their strict Aunt Harriet after the death of their parents in a plane crash. Simon, a cruel and manipulative alcoholic, is weeks away from inheriting the family fortune. Eleanor, fragile and haunted by the past, struggles with her mental health, particularly after the apparent suicide of their elder brother, Tony, years earlier. The plot takes a dramatic turn when a man claiming to be Tony reappears, throwing the family into turmoil. While Eleanor is overjoyed and convinced of his identity, Simon and Aunt Harriet are skeptical, suspecting him to be an impostor. As tensions rise, the film unravels a web of deceit, revealing that "Tony" is indeed a conman hired by the family solicitor's son to cover up financial embezzlement. The narrative is further complicated by Simon's descent into madness, driven by guilt and greed. The eerie atmosphere is heightened by haunting organ music and a masked figure, adding layers of gothic suspense. The climax reveals shocking truths about the family's dark past, including Simon's role in Tony's death and Aunt Harriet's attempts to maintain a facade of normalcy. Oliver Reed delivers a standout performance as the volatile Simon, capturing the character's menace and vulnerability. The film's cinematography, with its shadowy visuals and dramatic angles, enhances the sense of unease, while Elisabeth Lutyens' haunting score underscores the psychological tension. Paranoiac is a masterful blend of gothic horror and psychological drama, showcasing Hammer Films' ability to craft compelling narratives that linger in the mind long after the credits roll. You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Back to 1949 this week and a darkly witty masterpiece of British cinema! An Ealing comedy blending sharp humour, class satire, and Alec Guinness playing eight roles. A timeless classic! Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) A Delightfully Dark Comedy of Class and Revenge Kind Hearts and Coronets, the crown jewel of British cinema's dark humour. If you haven't yet basked in its glory, let me paint the scene for you. Picture this: Edwardian England, an impeccable sense of manners, and a protagonist who's as calculating as he is charming—all wrapped in a story about climbing the social ladder by…murdering every single person standing in the way. Yes, murder. And somehow, it's positively delightful. The plot centers on Louis Mazzini (played by Dennis Price), who is probably cinema's most likable sociopath. Born into a working-class life, Louis has always resented his mother's noble family, the D'Ascoynes, who cast her out for marrying “beneath her station.” But when Louis's mother dies penniless and the snobbish D'Ascoynes refuse her last wish of burial in the family crypt, the gloves come off—Louis vows to avenge his mother's disgrace and reclaim his rightful place among the aristocracy. There's just one minor snag: eight D'Ascoynes stand between him and the title of Duke. A daunting task? Perhaps. But for Louis, it's all in a day's work. Now, what makes Kind Hearts and Coronets so uniquely brilliant is its approach to murder. This isn't your run-of-the-mill bloodbath; it's murder with panache, style, and an undeniable charm. Each of Louis's victims is played by the inimitable Alec Guinness, who dons eight different personas—from pompous aristocrats to eccentric eccentrics, each more absurd than the last. Guinness's performance is a cinematic tour de force, bringing every D'Ascoyne to life with precision and wit, ensuring no two murders feel the same. Louis may be methodical, but he's never boring—whether he's engineering an explosion or a “tragic” drowning, each act of homicide is artfully executed with a dose of dark humor. One of the joys of Kind Hearts and Coronets is its unashamed cleverness. The film wields irony like a rapier, slicing through social norms and class pretensions with a gleeful grin. Louis's ascent from working-class obscurity to the dizzying heights of the aristocracy is as much a critique of class inequality as it is a comedy of manners. His steely resolve to eliminate his relatives is matched only by his ability to deliver dry, razor-sharp commentary along the way. Dennis Price's impeccable delivery transforms Louis into a character you can't help rooting for—despite his penchant for, well, homicide. Of course, no tale of ambition and revenge is complete without a touch of romance. Louis's love life is deliciously complicated, involving a love triangle between Sibella (Joan Greenwood), his childhood sweetheart, and Edith (Valerie Hobson), the widow of one of his victims. Sibella is wonderfully wicked—a femme fatale with a voice like melted honey and an unapologetic thirst for social status. Edith, on the other hand, is all grace and dignity, providing a stark contrast to Sibella's conniving charm. Louis, being the opportunist that he is, juggles both women with alarming ease, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his already twisted pursuits. The film's finale is a masterstroke of irony and poetic justice. Just when Louis seems to have achieved everything he set out to accomplish, fate intervenes with one final twist—a testament to the film's commitment to keeping its audience thoroughly entertained until the last frame. Without spoiling too much, let's just say that Louis's razor-sharp intellect proves to be both his greatest strength and his Achilles' heel. Visually, Kind Hearts and Coronets is a treat for the eyes. Director Robert Hamer uses cinematography to accentuate the film's satirical tone, juxtaposing the grandeur of the D'Ascoyne estate with the cold, calculated reality of Louis's crimes. The costume design and period details immerse viewers in Edwardian England, while the film's score lends an air of sophistication to even its most macabre moments. It's a film that looks as good as it feels, capturing the essence of a bygone era with wit and style. What truly elevates Kind Hearts and Coronets is its audacity. It dares to make us laugh in the face of murder, to cheer for a protagonist whose moral compass is utterly skewed, and to see the absurdity in the rigid class structures of the time. It's a film that revels in its own wickedness, inviting viewers to join in the fun. And fun it is—rarely does a film blend darkness with levity so effortlessly, crafting a narrative that's as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. In summary, Kind Hearts and Coronets is a masterful dark comedy that stands the test of time. With unforgettable performances, sharp wit, and a plot that keeps you on your toes, it's a cinematic experience that delights in its own cunning brilliance.  "The D'Ascoynes certainly appear to have accorded with the tradition of the landed gentry, and sent the fool of the family into the church."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. And a huge welcome to Hal, contributer of wonderful reviews at the official Talking Pictures Podcast as well as host of his very own show Couple Indemnity. Back to 1965 this week and a hilarious crime caper featuring a host of well known and well loved British comedy stars The Big Job (1965)   Get ready for a cheeky caper full of wit, charm, and some truly hapless criminal antics! The Big Job is a delightful 1965 British comedy about a gang of bumbling bank robbers, led by the lovable but inept George the Brain (played by Sid James). When their heist goes hilariously awry, the crew ends up stashing their loot in the hollow of a tree, only to be swiftly arrested. Fast forward 15 years, and they're finally out of prison—ready to reclaim their spoils. But there's a catch: their precious hiding spot now stands smack dab in the middle of a residential housing development! Cue the chaos as George and his eccentric gang—including the sarcastic Fred (Dick Emery) and the ever-resourceful Dipper (Lance Percival)—cook up absurd schemes to retrieve their loot without being discovered. Packed with slapstick humor, quirky characters, and plenty of British charm, The Big Job is a rollicking ride through misadventure and mischief. Fancy a giggle? This film delivers in spades! 'You're right. You're absolutely right. All you've got to do is go in there and say "Excuse me, Sarge, but fifteen years ago we happen to have left fifty thousand nicker in your tree. Can we have it back please?" '   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod  Follow Couple Indemnity @coupleindemnity   Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Back to 1946 this week and a murder mystery with a difference starring the wonderful Alastair Sim Green For Danger (1946)   Set against the backdrop of World War II, Green for Danger unfolds within the tense confines of a rural English hospital serving as an emergency medical facility. As bombs rain down during the Blitz, the hospital staff work tirelessly to treat the injured, but the strains of war expose hidden tensions and personal conflicts among them. The story begins with a routine surgical operation that takes a sinister turn, resulting in an unexpected death. What initially appears to be a tragic accident soon reveals darker undercurrents, as suspicion of foul play arises. Enter Inspector Cockrill, a quirky yet sharp-witted detective whose seemingly casual demeanour masks a razor-sharp mind. Tasked with unravelling the mystery, he dives into a web of secrets, rivalries, and deceit lurking among the doctors and nurses. The film expertly weaves suspense with touches of wry humour, delivering an atmospheric thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Featuring a tightly constructed plot and vividly portrayed characters, Green for Danger brilliantly encapsulates the tension and apprehension of its wartime backdrop. It skilfully combines elements of a gripping murder mystery with poignant human drama, all presented with a distinctive British charm and sharp wit.    Mr. Eden: "All, all are gone, the old familiar faces." Nurse Woods: "They left their appendixes behind them."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism   This week...more from the great Hammer studios as we continue our Hammer horror retrospective   Kiss Of The Vampire (1963) Honeymooning couple Gerald and Marianne Harcourt find themselves stranded in a remote little villiage in eastern Europe when their car runs out of petrol. Forced to stay in a semi-derelict inn where they are greeted with suspicion, they receive a surprise invitation to dine at the nearby castle with Dr. Ravna and his two grown children. The head of the local aristocratic family offers his assistance with dire consequences.   "I will not say that she has not changed in any way, Mr. Harcourt. She has, as you may put it, grown up. Tasted the more sophisticated, more exotic fruits of... life."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. Scott and Steven are joined this week by their dear friend Mark, host of The Good, The Bad and The Odd podcast, to chat about a touching, bittersweet journey of friendship and regret, as four old friends fulfill a promise to scatter their late friend's ashes. Last Orders (2001)   "Last Orders" (2001), directed by Fred Schepisi, is a poignant drama centered around a group of lifelong friends fulfilling their deceased friend's final wish. The story revolves around four aging men—Ray (Bob Hoskins), Lenny (David Hemmings), Vic (Tom Courtenay), and Vince (Ray Winstone)—who embark on a journey to scatter the ashes of their friend Jack Dodds (Michael Caine) in the sea at Margate, following his last orders. Jack, a butcher and a pub regular, left behind his widow, Amy (Helen Mirren), who is still grappling with the loss and her own regrets. As the men travel from Bermondsey to Margate, they make several stops significant to their shared history. Each stop triggers memories and flashbacks, revealing their past experiences, relationships, and the complicated dynamics between them. These flashbacks feature a younger version of Jack (JJ Feild), his friends, and his family, providing a deeper understanding of their connections and the life they led. Ray, Jack's best friend and a bookie, reflects on his unrequited love for Jack's wife, Amy, and his own failed marriage. Lenny, a former boxer, grapples with the loss of his son and his troubled relationship with his daughter. Vic, the quiet undertaker, contemplates the significance of life and death, while Vince, Jack's adopted son, struggles with his feelings of inadequacy and the pressure of living up to his father's expectations. As the journey progresses, the men confront their own insecurities, secrets, and unresolved issues. They share stories, argue, and ultimately bond over their shared grief and memories of Jack. Along the way, they visit landmarks such as the war memorial, the pub where they spent countless hours, and the racetrack where Jack placed his bets. Each location holds a piece of their collective past, evoking nostalgia and reflection. In the end, the men reach Margate and scatter Jack's ashes into the sea, honoring his final request. This act of closure allows them to find peace and move forward, forever changed by the journey and the memories they shared with their dear friend. "Last Orders" is a touching exploration of friendship, loss, and the passage of time, beautifully capturing the essence of life's fleeting moments and the impact of enduring bonds. Trailer "If y... if you ever get the chance... Raysy. I... if, if you ever get the option - you go first. It's the carrying on that's hard." You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #movie #podcast #michaelcaine #bobhoskins #helenmirren #raywinstone #tomcourtenay #davidhemmings  Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Back to 1984 this week and a classic from Hand Made Films starring Michael Palin and the wonderful Maggie Smith A Private Function (1984) In the summer of 1947, Britain prepares to commemorate the wedding of Princess Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. To get around food-rationing laws, Dr. Charles Swaby (Denholm Elliott), accountant Henry Allardyce (Richard Griffiths) and solicitor Frank Lockwood (John Normington) are fattening a black-market pig for the big day. Egged on by his wife (Maggie Smith), meek Gilbert Chilvers (Michael Palin) steals the swine, but the couple must conceal it from inspector Morris Wormold (Bill Paterson).     "I think sexual intercourse is in order, Gilbert."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven

  Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism      This week, an episode that has been eleven years in the making.  At last, our dear friend Maurice, host of See Hear and Love That Album joins Scott and Steven via Skype from Melbourne Also joining us are Scott's co hosts from The Stinking Pause podcast, Paul and Charlie A word of warning, Scott has manged to bleep out most of the profanity... but this episode is still a little bit sweary!   McVicar (1980)     John McVicar (Roger Daltrey) is an English career criminal locked up with all the other lifers in the dreaded E Wing of Durham Prison. Between riots and constant prison guard brutality, McVicar and fellow inmate Walter Probyn (Adam Faith) gradually dig a tunnel that enables their escape. Once on the outside, McVicar does his best to lie low and re-enter the lives of his wife (Cheryl Campbell) and infant son, despite the fact that police have labeled him "Public Enemy Number One."   "I suppose you think you got the better of us there. But just remember, kidder, you're in for ten years." "Yeah, that's right, Mr. Pendel. But you're in for life, ain't yer?"   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Why not take a listen to Maurice's podcasts at:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/see-hear/id796677164 and https://lovethatalbumpodcast.blogspot.com/   Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven    

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism   This week...more from the great Hammer studios as we continue our Hammer horror retrospective   The Damned (1962) The brutality of modern society is fast encroaching on the picturesque seaside town of Weymouth. American tourist Simon Wells (Macdonald Carey) is looking for a relaxing holiday but he is mugged by the psychopatic King (Oliver Reed) and his gang of thugs. Wells escapes with King's sister, Joanie (Shirley Anne Field), and they stumble upon a sinister establishment where nine ice-cold children are being subjected to a horrifying experiment. The shadowy authorities in control of the base will stop at nothing to safeguard their secret, but it is the mysterious children who will doom them all...   "I'm strange, all right! I'll show you just how strange I am!"   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism.    Back to the seedy side of sixties Soho this week featuring a powerful performance from Anthony Newley This week, Scott and Steven are joined by Anthony, the host of the Film Gold podcast    The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963) The Small World of Sammy Lee is a 1963 British crime drama film directed by Ken Hughes. The story unfolds in the seedy underbelly of London's Soho district, focusing on the life of Sammy Lee, a strip club compere and hustler who finds himself in dire straits. Sammy Lee, played by Anthony Newley, is a charismatic but desperate man. He owes £300 to a local bookie named Connor and has only five hours to pay off his debt. If he fails, the consequences will be severe, as Connor's enforcers are known for their ruthless methods. The film begins with Sammy receiving a phone call informing him that his time is running out, setting off a frantic race against the clock. As Sammy scrambles to gather the money, the film provides a vivid portrayal of his world. Soho is depicted as a place filled with strip clubs, gambling dens, and shady characters. Sammy's interactions with the various inhabitants of this world reveal much about his character and the precarious life he leads. Throughout the day, Sammy employs a series of hustles to raise the funds. He borrows from friends, pleads with acquaintances, and even resorts to stealing. One of the significant characters he turns to is his brother Lou, who runs a delicatessen. Lou, portrayed by Warren Mitchell, is initially reluctant to help due to Sammy's repeated failures and irresponsible behavior. However, the bond of family eventually prevails, and Lou reluctantly provides some money, though it's not enough to cover the debt. Parallel to Sammy's frantic efforts, the film explores the impact of his lifestyle on others, particularly Patsy, a young woman who is infatuated with him. Patsy, played by Julia Foster, arrives in Soho from the countryside, naively hoping to start a new life with Sammy. Her innocence and genuine affection for Sammy contrast sharply with the gritty reality of his world. Sammy, though fond of her, is too entangled in his own troubles to reciprocate her feelings fully. As the deadline approaches, Sammy's situation becomes increasingly desperate. His attempts to hustle money from various sources lead to a series of tense and dramatic encounters. The film's climax occurs in the strip club where Sammy works. In a last-ditch effort, Sammy bets the money he has managed to gather on a high-stakes poker game, hoping to win enough to pay off his debt. However, luck is not on his side, and he loses the game, sealing his fate. The final scenes of the film are poignant and impactful. As the clock ticks down, Connor's enforcers arrive to collect the debt. Sammy's frantic energy gives way to a sense of resignation and defeat. The enforcers take Sammy away, leaving his fate ambiguous but undoubtedly grim. The Small World of Sammy Lee is a compelling character study and a vivid depiction of the darker side of 1960s London. The film's strength lies in its atmosphere, the complexity of its protagonist, and the tense, fast-paced narrative that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. Through Sammy Lee's story, the film explores themes of desperation, survival, and the human cost of a life lived on the margins of society. "Soho's not a place, it's a state of mind. It's where you end up when you've got nowhere else to go." This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/glass-onion-on-john-lennon/id1473867166  Life And Life Only https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/  Film Gold https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-gold/id1544641271    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. Scott and Steven are joined this week by their dear friend Mark, host of The Good, The Bad and The Odd podcast, to discuss an overlooked movie from 1972 starring Oliver Reed, Edward Woodward, Ian McShane, Frank Finlay, Freddie Jones and Jill St John. Revenge, car chases, prison escapes...what more you could ask for?   Sitting Target (1972) A killer has one more victim on his hit list – his faithless wife! Oliver Reed snarls and seethes his way through a brute-force 70's crime thriller in the tradition of Get Carter. Douglas Hickox, who would go on to helm such memorable films as Theatre of Blood and Zulu Dawn, brings his filmmaking intensity to a story of revenge set in a London as bleak and brooding as the prison from which convicted killer Harry Lomart (Reed) and his fellow inmate (Ian McShane) escape. Once free, Harry sets out to exterminate his seductive wife (Jill St. John), who carries another man's child. Armed with a handgun, fueled by rage, Harry draws closer to his sitting target. Also closing in: a police inspector (Edward Woodward), who's determined to protect the hunted woman.  Reed and McShane – one grim, one voluble, and both steeped in violence -- make an intimidating tough-guy team.   "Bastard must be made out of concrete!" You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #oliverreed #ianmcshane #edwardwoodward #frankfinlay #jillstjohn #sittingtarget #1972 #movie #podcast Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Back to 1956 this week and some classic comedy featuring Norman Wisdom   Up In The World (1956) Norman is a window cleaner who has to clean a manor house with hundreds of windows. He is distracted by the son of the house who persuades him to go into town. When some villains try and kidnap the young heir Norman fights them off but the heir has banged his head and can't remember Norman's heroic stand   Norman: "I'm Norman. The new window cleaner." Maj. Willoughby: "You should have been here at 9 o'clock this morning!" Norman: "Why? What happened?"   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #normanwisdom #1956 #movie #podcast Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven  

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism.    Classic kitchen sink drama this week featuring a powerful performance from Albert Finney This week, Scott and Steven are joined by Anthony, the host of the Film Gold podcast    Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960)  Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, released in 1960, still remains one of the finest of the Angry Young Men movies that emanated from England in the late 1950s and '60s.  In his first starring role, Albert Finney played a charismatic man who seems destined to follow in his parents' and grandparents' footsteps by pursuing a mundane, working-class lifestyle.  Employed as a lathe operator in a Midlands factory, Finney's Arthur Seaton lives for the weekend, when he drinks and womanizes to excess. However, when he has an affair with a coworker's wife, he finds himself facing decisions he never expected to have to make.  Saturday Night and Sunday Morning was based on the first novel by British author Alan Sillitoe, who wrote the screenplay. He based the grim but compelling story line on his own experiences working in a factory and used the plot as a plea for the younger generation of Brits to break the bonds that restricted them to predictable and unfulfilling lives. An accomplished stage actor, Finney earned international acclaim for his powerful performance.    "Don't let the bastards grind you down!"       Production notes and credits  Studio: Continental Distributing  Director: Karel Reisz  Producer: Tony Richardson  Writer: Allan Sillitoe  Music: John Dankworth  Running time: 89 minutes  Cast  Albert Finney (Arthur Seaton)  Shirley Anne Field (Doreen)  Rachel Roberts (Brenda)  Hylda Baker (Aunt Ada)  Norman Rossington (Bert)    This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod    Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/glass-onion-on-john-lennon/id1473867166  Life And Life Only https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/  Film Gold https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-gold/id1544641271    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism   This week...more from the great Hammer studios as we continue our Hammer horror retrospective   The Phantom of the Opera (1962) Composer Lord Ambrose D'Arcy (Michael Gough) and his backer, Harry Hunter (Edward De Souza), struggle to find a replacement for the female lead in their new opera after she quits in the wake of a gruesome murder. When a new prospect, the nubile Christine Charles (Heather Sears), disappears, Harry cautiously investigates. Meanwhile, a mysterious masked man (Herbert Lom) who is eerily familiar with the opera holds Christine captive and offers to groom her to play the part.    "I caught a couple o' beauties tonight. Fat. Like young puppies they are."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.   Scott and Steven are joined this week by Antony, host of Film Gold, Glass Onion : On John Lennon, and Life and Life Only to discuss one of the great movies from the legendary Hammer studios for our 150th episode.   The Nanny (1965) A nanny (Bette Davis) is hired to look after a ten-year-old who has just returned from a mental institution. The boy's mother has just been poisoned and he believes the nanny is to blame. When his aunt arrives and hears the boy's accusations she sides with the nanny, claiming the boy is making it all up.   "That's what I'm here for, to look after all of you."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rb_podcast   Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/glass-onion-on-john-lennon/id1473867166  Life And Life Only https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/  Film Gold https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-gold/id1544641271    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Back to 1955 this week and a classic starring Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall The Constant Husband (1955) Charles Hathaway (Sir Rex Harrison) wakes up in West Wales with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. With the help of a Cardiff specialist, he traces his life back to his gorgeous wife and their large London house, so all seems well with the world. But more detective work starts to uncover an alarming chain of further stunning wives and a way of going on that the new Charles finds pretty unacceptable.   "Let me put the issue simply before you. The question really is whether you now say you now believe you were, when you committed these crimes, the man you were before you became the man you say you are now. Is that quite clear?" You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #1955 #rexharrison #movie #podcast Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism   This week...more from the great Hammer studios as we continue our Hammer horror retrospective   The Curse Of The Werewolf (1961) A man with brutal and macabre origins, Leon Corledo (Oliver Reed) was raised in the home of Don Alfredo Corledo (Clifford Evans), his kind and loving adopted father. When he leaves Don Alfredo to find work, Leon discovers that he has increasingly violent urges. Although these tendencies are calmed by Leon's love for the beautiful Christina (Catherine Feller), he ultimately cannot contain his curse and transforms into a werewolf, terrorizing the Spanish countryside.   "Father, the bullet. Pepe the watchman has a silver bullet. Get it and use it. Use it on me, father! You must use it -- do you hear? You must use it! You must!"   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.   Scott and Steven are joined this week by Antony, host of Film Gold, Glass Onion : On John Lennon, and Life and Life Only to discuss one of the greatest British movies of all time.   Brighton Rock (1948) Pinkie's a small-town hood who's trying to carve out a place for his gang in the Brighton rackets. When he murders a journalist he believes was responsible for the death of a fellow gang-member, Ida Arnold, who was with the man just before he died, sets out to find the truth.   "You asked me to make a record of me voice. Well, here it is. What you want me to say is, 'I love you.' Here's the truth. I hate you, you little slut. You make me sick."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rb_podcast   Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/glass-onion-on-john-lennon/id1473867166  Life And Life Only https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/  Film Gold https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-gold/id1544641271    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Back to 1959 this week and a classic starring Horst Buchholz and John and Hayley Mills Tiger Bay (1959) Rough-and-tumble street urchin Gillie (Hayley Mills) witnesses the brutal killing of a young woman at the hands of visiting Polish sailor Korchinsky (Horst Buchholz). Instead of reporting the crime to the authorities, Gillie merely pockets a prize for herself -- Korchinsky's shiny black revolver -- and flees the scene. When Welsh Detective Graham (John Mills) discovers that Gillie has the murder weapon, the fiery young girl weaves a web of lies to throw him off course.   "It'll be all right, he says. A fat lot of good the police are. We've got one in the house and a murder's done right under his nose and now here's a child whose got hold of a gun and they don't even know where she is!" You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #tigerbay #johnmills #hayleymills #movie #podcast Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism   This week...more from the great Hammer studios as we continue our Hammer horror retrospective   The Two Faces Of Dr Jeckyll (1960)   Dr. Henry Jekyll is a dull, bookish scientist who spends more time with his lab animals testing theories of alternate personalities than with his beautiful, young wife. Kitty Jekyll has given up trying to find any passion in her distant, preoccupied husband and is involved in an affair with one of Jekyll's old 'friends,' Paul Allen, a weak slacker and wastrel who relies on Jekyll to pay his numerous gambling debts. After experimenting on himself, the bearded, tweedy Jekyll transforms himself into the young, dynamic, and self-confidant Edward Hyde. In his new character he befriends Allen, who has no idea that this clean-cut, handsome playboy prone to outbursts of violence is really Jekyll. As Hyde, he encourages Allen to introduce him to the dark underbelly of London's night life including opium dens and sex clubs, where he begins an affair with the sensual courtesan Maria, an exotic dancer and snake charmer. When he tries to seduce Allen's mistress, in reality his own wife, he is frustrated to find she prefers her decadent lover to him.   "London and I are virgins to one another."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Classic eighties comedy this week from the superb Bill Forsyth Local Hero (1983) Up-and-coming Houston oil executive "Mac" MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) gets more than he bargained for when a seemingly simple business trip to Scotland changes his outlook on life. Sent by his colourful boss (Burt Lancaster) to the small village of Ferness, Mac is looking to quickly buy out the townspeople so his company can build a new refinery. But after a taste of country life Mac begins to question whether he is on the right side of this transaction.   "Keep watching the sky, MacIntyre."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #localhero #burtlancaster #billforsyth #movie #podcast Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven  

Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.   Scott and Steven are joined this week by Antony, host of Film Gold, Glass Onion : On John Lennon, and Life and Life Only to discuss something of a departure for Richard Burton.   Villain (1971) Hailing from East London, Vic Dakin dotes on his aged and largely bedridden mother. He is also the leader of a criminal gang whose proceeds are largely from the regular collection of "protection money" from their victims. Vic often uses brutal violence against enemies as well as "friends" to prove a point, the violence in and of itself which he seems to relish. While not a regular means to money, Vic decides that his gang will work on a tip to rob a factory payroll, which, somewhat against his wants, will entail working with fellow criminal Frank Fletcher, who understands such a job better than Vic or anyone on his team. Making the job more complex at this time are: the police being after Vic for the vicious attack on one of Vic's associates who acted as a police snitch; and Vic's association with Wolfie Lissner, who procures sexual services for a number of people, including some fairly high profile ones, and who often acts as Vic's "on demand" sexual partner. "Frank, Frank. We're the boys, aren't we? Aren't we the boys. Always have been, ever since we were kids. Hardly got off our mother's tit when we had 'em quaking down in Hackney." This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rb_podcast   Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/glass-onion-on-john-lennon/id1473867166  Life And Life Only https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/  Film Gold https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-gold/id1544641271    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism   This week, Scott and Steven are joined by Mark from The Good The Bad and The Odd podcast to chat about, not Hammer horror this time, but Julien Temple's musical from 1986 starring Patsy Kensit and David Bowie   Absolute Beginners (1986)   A musical adaptation of Colin MacInnes' novel about life in late 1950s London. Nineteen-year-old photographer Colin is hopelessly in love with model Crepe Suzette, but her relationships are strictly connected with her progress in the fashion world. So Colin gets involved with a pop promoter and tries to crack the big time. Meanwhile, racial tension is brewing in Colin's Notting Hill housing estate...     You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #davidbowie   Thanks for listening   Scott, Steven and Mark  

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism   This week...more from the great Hammer studios as we continue our Hammer horror retrospective   Brides of Dracula (1960)   Classic horror starring Peter Cushing. A young teacher on her way to a position in Transylvania helps a young man escape the shackles his mother has put on him. In doing so she innocently unleashes the horrors of the undead once again on the populace, including those at her school for ladies. Luckily for some, Dr Van Helsing (Cushing) is already on his way.   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Classic wartime drama from the 50s this week with Kenneth More in the story of a true British hero. Reach For The Sky (1956) Biopic of famed British World War II flyer Sir Douglas Bader. He joined the RAF in 1928 and easily took to flying, perhaps too easily as his commanders are concerned at the risks he takes with his aircraft. After a nasty crash in 1931, he loses both of his legs above the knee. After a long convalescence and learning to walk again with artificial legs, he returns to flying school where he again passes. The RAF forcibly retires him due to his presumed disability. With the onset of World War II, Bader is re-instated and given command of a fighter squadron. He survives the Battle of Britain but is shot down over enemy territory in 1941 losing one of his artificial legs. He was a POW and the RAF even sent a new leg to replace the one he lost. Known as a problem prisoner because of his numerous attempts to escape, he was transferred to Colditz for much of his time until the war's end.   Equipment Officer: I'm sorry, the book says I must wait three months before I can initiate the procedure for hastening new issue. Bader: Fine! We'll send Goring a telegram, and ask him not to come over for *three months*!     You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #kennethmore #reachforthesky #lewisgilbert #movie #podcast Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. The latest episode in our Hammer horror retrospective The Man Who Could Cheat Death (1959)   His terrifying secret, his hideous obsession made him... The Man Who Could Cheat Death   Director Terence Fisher (The Curse of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Hound of the Baskervilles) transformed the fate of Hammer Pictures with his vibrant and explicit series of gothic horror films, which would become the studio's signature style for nearly two decades. Fisher continued his winning streak for the studio with this tale of scientific debauchery, which remains one of Hammer Films finest achievements. Doctor and amateur sculptor Georges Bonnet (Anton Diffring Circus of Horrors, Fahrenheit 451) has discovered a murderous method of maintaining his youth, once every ten years he murders a young woman and removes her parathyroid glands to replace his own. But after 104 years, he's run into some problems. His collaborator is now too old to perform the surgical procedure, and a detective is on his case. In desperation Bonnet blackmails another surgeon (Christopher Lee) into performing the procedure by threatening the life of Janine Dubois (Hazel Court), a woman who both men desire. With cinematography by Jack Asher (whose Bava-esque use of colours lend the film an almost dreamlike quality) and set-design by Bernard Robinson who could miraculously produce lavish and expensive looking sets on a tight budget, EReel Britannia is proud to present The Man Who Could Cheat Death.   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. Scott and Steven are joined this week by Anthony, host of Film Gold, Glass Onion : On John Lennon, and Life and Life Only to discuss Train of Events (1949) The portmanteau film “Train of Events” brings together the many talents of Ealing Studios to present four stories linked by a train bound for Liverpool. This Ealing anthology weaves drama and comedy amongst the stories documenting various train passengers, all leading up to an incident to change their lives. Starring Jack Hawkins, Gladys Henson, Leslie Phillips, Joan Dowling, Valerie Hobson, Laurence Payne, John Gregson, and introducing Peter Finch in his first British film (having emigrated from Australia). the film's segments were directed by Ealing luminaries Charles Crichton, Basil Dearden, & Sidney Cole. “Train of Events” opened at the Gaumont Haymarket cinema in Lonodn on the 18th of August 1949. "Well, don't overwhelm me ducks. I dunno as my poor old ticker'll stand it."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rb_podcast   Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/glass-onion-on-john-lennon/id1473867166  Life And Life Only https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/  Film Gold https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-gold/id1544641271    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism.    Classic kitchen sink drama this week from John Osborne and Tony Richardson featuring an all-star British cast headed by Laurence Olivier  The Entertainer (1960)  London schoolteacher Jean Rice (Joan Plowright) returns to her seaside resort hometown at a time of personal crisis. Her father, Archie (Laurence Olivier), is a star on the music hall circuit, but, in the television age, that old-fashioned entertainment is dying out. His second wife, Phoebe (Brenda De Banzie), is openly contemptuous of her husband's many affairs, and his son, Mick (Albert Finney), is a soldier fighting in the Suez. Despite Archie's unflagging optimism, tragic events unfold.    “You were a pretty little thing. Not that looks are important - not even for a woman. You don't look at the mantelpiece when you poke the fire. “    You can find this and all our previous episodes at:  Amazon Music  Apple Podcasts  Libsyn  Player FM  Podtail  Owltail  ListenNotes    Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod  Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you  email: reelbritannia@gmail.com  #britmovie #reelbritannia #theentertainer  Thanks for listening!  Scott and Steven   

Reel Britannia podcast - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.   Scott and Steven are joined this week by Anthony, host of Film Gold, Glass Onion : On John Lennon, and Life and Life Only to discuss Alfred Hitchcock's penultimate movie.   Frenzy (1972)   In London, a serial killer is raping women and then strangling them with a necktie. When the reckless and low-class with a bad temper bartender Richard Blaney is fired from the pub Global Public House by the manager Felix Forsythe, he decides to visit his ex-wife Brenda, who owns a successful marriage agency. Her secretary Miss Barling overhears an argument of the couple, and Brenda invites Richard to have dinner with her in a fancy restaurant. Then she put some money in his overcoat and does not tell him to avoid his embarrassment with the situation. Meanwhile, Richard's friend Bob Rusk visits Brenda in her office, rapes her, and kills her with his necktie. When Richard finds the money in his pocket, he visits Brenda, but finds the agency closed. Then he goes with his girlfriend Babs Milligan to an expensive hotel. Miss Barling sees Richard leaving the building and finds her boss strangled. She calls New Scotland Yard and Richard becomes the prime suspect. When Bob kills Babs, he frames Richard, who is arrested and sentenced to life. But Chief Inspector Oxford, who was in charge of the investigation is not absolutely sure that Richard is the serial killer.   "  Do I look like a sex murderer to you? Can you imagine me creeping around London, strangling all those women with ties? That's ridiculous... For a start, I only own two.."   This and previous episodes can be found everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rb_podcast   Glass Onion: On John Lennon https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/glass-onion-on-john-lennon/id1473867166  Life And Life Only https://lifeandlifeonly.podbean.com/  Film Gold https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/film-gold/id1544641271    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven  

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism.   Classic comedy from the 50s this week with Kenneth More, Kay Kendall, John Gregson and Dinah Sheridan and a very famous automobile.   Genevieve (1953)   In this upbeat British comedy, two friends enter an antique car rally. Alan McKim (John Gregson) drives his beloved 1904 automobile, named Genevieve, while Ambrose Claverhouse (Kenneth More) takes his vintage Spyker car. Alan and Ambrose bring their wives (Dinah Sheridan, Kay Kendall) along for the wild ride from London to Brighton, and the trek soon turns fiercely competitive, each driver devising clever ways to sabotage the other in hopes of winning the race.   Rosalind: “Ambrose only seems to think about two things. That silly old car - and the other thing.” Wendy: “What other thing?...Oh...my husband only thinks about the car.”     You can find this and all our previous episodes at: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Libsyn Player FM Podtail Owltail ListenNotes   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #ritasueandbobtoo Thanks for listening! Scott and Steven  

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. The latest episode in our Hammer horror retrospective   The Mummy (1959)     Terence Fisher directs this cult Hammer horror starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. Intrepid archaeologist Stephen Banning (Felix Aylmer) and his son John (Cushing) are so determined to locate the resting place of Princess Ananka, an ancient Egyptian high priestess, that they ignore the warnings of locals regarding a curse placed on the tomb. The trio have cause to regret their arrogance when back in England they are tracked down by Kharis (Lee), a mummy who has been brought back to life to avenge the desecration of the tomb. Having watched his father and uncle succumb to Kharis, John realises that he will almost certainly be the next target. However, he hasn't counted on his wife Isobel (Yvonne Furneaux)'s uncanny resemblance to Princess Ananka, which threatens to confuse the vengeful mummy...    " Seems I've spent the better part of my life amongst the dead.”       You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror #themummy   Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies - with just a hint of professionalism. A very special episode this week with a very special friend. Scott and Steven are joined by their dear friend Adam Roche, host of the Secret History of Hollywood, Attaboy Clarence and The Labours of Hercule podcasts. An invite stretching back about five years ago has resulted in an episode recorded way back last year, just before Christmas, and finally seeing the light of day...anyone would think we really didn't want him on the show! But, of course, we did and we spent a most enjoyable Sunday morning chatting and having a really good laugh as we duscussed a movie very close to Adam's heart.   Night of the Demon (1957) American psychologist John Holden (Dana Andrews) arrives in England to discover that his colleague, Henry Harrington (Maurice Denham), has suddenly died following his efforts to discredit notorious occultist Julian Karswell (Niall MacGinnis). The cynical Holden dismisses Karswell's warnings as supernatural nonsense, even when he and Harrington's niece, Joanna (Peggy Cummins), are confronted by a series of bizarre and inexplicable events. Holden discovers that Karswell has slipped him a parchment featuring ancient runic symbols a sign that, like Harrington before him, he has been marked for imminent destruction by a fire-breathing demon. As the night of his threatened demise draws nearer, the fearful Holden begins to suspect that Karswell has been telling the truth all along... "It's in the trees...it's coming!"   You can find this and all our previous episodes at: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Libsyn Player FM Podtail Owltail ListenNotes Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #nightofthedemon Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Adam

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Classic comedy from the 80s this week as Siobhan Finneran stars in this darkly funny drama set in Thatcher's Britain.    Rita Sue and Bob Too (1987) Following an acclaimed career in hard-hitting TV drama, director Alan Clarke achieved a cinema hit with his much-loved comedy. Bradford teenagers Rita and Sue regularly babysit for successful couple Bob and Michelle, whose comfortable suburban lifestyle contrasts with their own bleak existence. One evening when Bob is taking them home, he suggests a detour to the moors. Impressed by his flashy car and worldly ways the girls are smooth-talked into a three-way sexual relationship that becomes very much part of their lives. At first it's a bit of a laugh but people are quick to point the finger and the affair is soon out in the open. The screenplay was adapted from a series of acclaimed plays by Andrea Dunbar, which were based on her own upbringing on Bradford's Buttershaw estate. The contrast of bawdy laughs with astute social comment results in one of the more memorable and enduring British films from the period. "Oh no, I'll have to wear a bra. When I'm dancing all the fellas'll be watching me tits wobblin' up and down - I can't do with that." You can find this and all our previous episodes at: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Libsyn Player FM Podtail Owltail ListenNotes Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #britmovie #reelbritannia #ritasueandbobtoo Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Anthony

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. The latest episode in our Hammer horror retrospective The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1959)   Returning to his family's manor house on the lonely moors after his father dies under mysterious circumstances, Sir Henry Baskerville is confronted with the mystery of the supernatural hound that supposedly takes revenge upon the Baskerville family. The famous detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are brought in to investigate     "Elementary, my dear Watson. Tarantulas are not from South Africa."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror #frankenstein   Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. The latest episode in our Hammer horror retrospective - and the return of the Baron.... The Revenge of Frankenstein (1958) Having escaped death by the guillotine, Dr. Frankenstein relocates to Carlsbruck. There, as Dr. Victor Stein, he successfully establishes himself as a physician with a large practice and a hospital for the poor. After three years however he is recognized by Dr. Hans Kleve but rather than expose him, the young doctor wants to join him in his research. Frankenstein has resumed his experiments and is on the verge of re-animating a body he has constructed using the brain of Fritz, the deformed assistant who helped him escape from his death sentence. The operation goes quite well and Fritz is quite pleased with his new body. An encounter with a drunken hospital attendant however sends him on the run. As his mind and his body deteriorates, he publicly reveals the good Doctor's true identity. "Hello my lovelies. How about a piece of sugar? Hmm?"   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror #frankenstein   Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark  

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism.   The Long Arm (1956) After an elusive burglar robs a safe and leaves innocent victims in his wake, police edetective Tom Halliday (Jack Hawkins) is on the case, meticulously following up every possible lead.  Halliday leaves his desk behind and enlists the help of not only his assistant, but people outside the police force, including fingerprint and safe-building experts. Though his wife, Mary (Dorothy Alison), doesn't approve of his job and worries for his safety, he won't rest until the perppetrator is behind bars. You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts   Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #jackhawkins   Thanks for listening   Scott and Steven    

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. A special episode this week where Scott is joined by his fellow co hosts of the Stinking Pause podcast, Paul and Charlie to chat about rabbits, rough Soho strip joints and Mr Robbie Coltrane (this episode was recorded a few weeks before his recent passing) Mona Lisa (1986) “After getting out of prison, George (Bob Hoskins) looks for a job, but his time in prison has reduced his stature in the criminal underworld. The only job he can find is to be a driver for beautiful, high-priced call girl Simone (Cathy Tyson), with whom he forms an at first grudging, and then a real, affection. But Simone's playing a dangerous game, and when George agrees to help her, they both end up in deep trouble with Mortwell (Sir Michael Caine), the local kingpin.” “Being cheap is one thing. Looking cheap is another. That really takes talent.” You can find this and all our previous episodes at: Amazon Music Apple Podcasts Libsyn Player FM Podtail Owltail ListenNotes Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you email: reelbritannia@gmail.com #monalisa #bobhoskins #britmovie #reelbritannia #michaelcaine #robbiecoltrane   Thanks for listening Scott, Paul and Charlie

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. An Inspector Calls (1954) When a young girl is found dead an inspector is sent to investigate a prosperous Yorkshire household. It emerges that each member of the family has a guilty secret - each one is partly responsible for her death. Based on the play by J.B. Priestley, this British mystery follows Inspector Poole (Alastair Sim) as he investigates the apparent suicide of Eva Smith (Jane Wenham), a young working-class woman. Paying a visit to the wealthy Birling household, Poole arrives in the middle of a dinner party and slowly reveals how each family member, including stern patriarch Arthur Birling (Arthur Young) and his uptight wife, Sybil (Olga Lindo), could have had a hand in Eva's death. "She wasn't very pretty when I saw her last in the infirmary." You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #aninspectorcalls   Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Anthony

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. The latest episode in our Hammer horror retrospective - and a possibly the movie that truly defined the classic Hammer horror genre... Dracula (1958) Jonathan Harker takes employment with Count Dracula, ostensibly to catalog his vast library. In fact, he is on a mission to kill the Count, a vampire. Before he can do so however, the Count gains the upper hand and Harker soon finds himself as one of the walking dead. Dracula has taken an interest in Harker's fiancée, Lucy Holmwood and it is left to Harker's colleague, Dr. Van Helsing to protect her. He has difficulty convincing Lucy's brother, Arthur Holmwood, of the dangers or even the existence of vampires. Soon, however, Arthur's wife Mina is targeted by Count Dracula and he and Van Helsing race to find his lair before she is lost to them forever. "Please try and understand this is not Lucy the sister you loved. It's only a shell possessed and corrupted by the evil of Dracula. To liberate her soul and give her peace we must destroy that shell for all time. Believe me there is no other way."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror #dracula    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. The darkest of dramas this week as Scott is joined by his Stinking Pause Podcast co hosts, Paul and Charlie to chat about Sidney Lumet, Sean Connery, Trevor Howard, Ian Bannen....and Bracknell. The Offence (1973) A veteran British police inspector, Sgt. Johnson (Sean Connery), has grown increasingly disturbed by the rapes and murders he has investigated over the years. When he finds a young girl in the woods who has been raped, police begin searching for a suspect. When Kenneth Baxter (Ian Bannen) is brought in for questioning, Johnson snaps, beating him during an unauthorized interrogation. Lt. Cartwright (Trevor Howard) is then brought in to interview him about the incident.   "Nothing I have done can be one half as bad as the thoughts in your head."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #theoffenc #seanconnery   Thanks for listening Scott, Paul and Charlie

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. This week, join Scott and Steven as they review Mike Leigh's tale of twins, pineapples, burger vans and and chocolate coated sex. Life Is Sweet (1990) The working-class malaise of suburban London is captured in this comedic drama, which focuses on twin sisters Natalie (Claire Skinner) and Nicola (Jane Horrocks) and their parents: easygoing Andy (Jim Broadbent) and his optimistic wife, Wendy (Alison Steadman). While Natalie has a plumbing job, and tends to take after her mom with her bright outlook, Nicola is on the dole and perpetually dwells on the negative. Will the cloud over Nicola's head ever lift? "Take my word for it - that is an evil spoon." You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #lifeissweet #mikeleigh    Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. Murder and voyeurism are the order of the day this week as Scott is joined by his Stinking Pause Podcast co hosts, Paul and Charlie to chat about Michael Powell's classic movie: Peeping Tom (1960) Loner Mark Lewis (Carl Boehm) works at a film studio during the day and, at night, takes racy photographs of women. Also he's making a documentary on fear, which involves recording the reactions of victims as he murders them. He befriends Helen (Anna Massey), the daughter of the family living in the apartment below his, and he tells her vaguely about the movie he is making. She sneaks into Mark's apartment to watch it and is horrified by what she sees -- especially when Mark catches her. "Do you know what the most frightening thing in the world is? It's fear." You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #peepingtom   Thanks for listening Scott, Paul and Charlie

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. Surreal schoolboy shenanigans this week as Scott, Steven and Anthony uncover the very dark side of public school in the sixties. If (1968) Lindsay Anderson's If.... is a daringly anarchic vision of British society, set in a boarding school in late-sixties England. Before Kubrick made his mischief iconic in A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell made a hell of an impression as the insouciant Mick Travis, who, along with his school chums, trumps authority at every turn, finally emerging as a violent savior in the vicious games of one-upmanship played by both students and masters. Mixing color and black and white as audaciously as it mixes fantasy and reality, If…. remains one of cinema's most unforgettable rebel yells. "Education in Britain is a nubile Cinderella: sparsely clad and much interfered with."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #if #ifmovie    Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Anthony

Reel Britannia - a very British podcast about very British movies...with just a hint of professionalism. The latest episode in our Hammer horror retrospective - and a  brief diversion from the gothic goings on... The Abominable Snowman (1957) British scientist John Rollason (Peter Cushing) is studying plants in the Himalayas with his wife (Maureen Connell) while he waits for his American associate, Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker). When Friend arrives, Rollason accompanies him on a trip to find the mysterious creature Yeti, along with Friend's partner (Robert Brown) and a guide (Michael Brill) who claims he can find the beast. The group proceeds despite warnings. However, the trip quickly becomes more dangerous than they had anticipated. "This creature may have an affinity for man, something in common with ourselves. Let's remember that before we start shooting."   You can find this and all our previous episodes everywhere you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you   email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #hammerhorror   Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Mark

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism.   Robbery (1967)     This week, Scott and Steven are joined by Tyler from the wonderful Goon Pod - a podcast celebrating the legendary Goon Show and the Goons themselves - Peter Sellers, Harry Secombe, Spike Milligan (and Michael Bentine). Each episode host Tyler welcomes a guest to examine an actual Goon Show, a solo Goon project (films, TV, radio, books, albums etc) or practically anything within the Goon universe. Scott was a guest recently on Goon Pod and asked Tyler to join us to chat about one of his favourite movies, Robbery starring Stanley Baker Based on the infamous "Great Train Robbery," this film follows Paul Clifton (Stanley Baker) as he forms a team to carry out an ambitious heist of cash from a government mail train traveling from Scotland to London. Clifton feels it necessary to add incarcerated money expert Robinson (Frank Finlay) to the group, so he organizes a jailbreak to free him as well. Although the theft succeeds, the criminals are still hounded by Scotland Yard detective Langdon (James Booth).   “We're talking about millions of pounds now. We're talking about road blocks, car searches, house raids, shakedowns. They'll know who pulled the job. Without the money, they can't prove anything.”   You can find this and all our previous episodes at: Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #stanleybaker   All episodes of the Goon Pod can be found at https://anchor.fm/tyler-adams0 Thanks for listening Scott and Steven

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. A Fish Called Wanda (1988) To lend a hand in a bold diamond heist, British criminal mastermind Georges Thomason and his animal-loving right-hand man Ken Pile enlist the help of two siblings: the statuesque Wanda Gershwitz and her loose-cannon Friedrich Nietzsche-quoting brother Otto West. However, after they pull off the robbery in broad daylight, greed takes over, and an anonymous call to the police sends behind bars Georges, the only man who knows the location of the hidden loot. Now Wanda must put her stunning looks to good use and seduce Thomason's unsuspecting barrister Archie Leach in high hopes of finding the jewels. But the seemingly-foolproof plan is already falling to pieces. Is there no honour among thieves anymore?   “I love robbing the English, they're so polite.”   You can find this and all our previous episodes at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia And everywhere that you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you email: reelbritannia@gmail.com     #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #movie #johncleese   Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Tony

Welcome to Reel Britannia-a very British podcast about very British movies ...with just a hint of professionalism. Went The Day Well? (1942) May 1942. The small English village of Bramley End is visited by a detachment of about 60 Royal Engineers. They are ostensibly there on an exercise but are in actual fact a detachment of German paratroopers, the advance guard of Hitler's invasion of England. Some of the villagers figure out their true identities but before they can do anything all the villagers are held prisoner by the Germans. Will the villagers be able to get word out of the threat? The fate of England depends on them. “Oh, you great beast! You great bullying brute you, knocking a child about! You're a disgrace to your uniform! Why, you're no better than a German, - that's what you are!”   You can find this and all our previous episodes at: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/reelbritannia And everywhere that you download your podcasts Follow us on Twitter @rbritanniapod Join us over at our Facebook Group ….we'd love to chat with you email: reelbritannia@gmail.com   #podcast #britmovie #reelbritannia #warmovie   Thanks for listening Scott, Steven and Tony