A Touch of the Sun ** (1956, Frankie Howerd, Ruby Murray, Dennis Price) – Classic Movie Review 9483

Director Gordon Parry’s 1956 British comedy A Touch of the Sun stars Frankie Howerd as William Darling, a put-upon bellhop/ hall porter at a crumbling hotel/ guesthouse, who discovers that he is the beneficiary of an immense fortune, and uses it to rescue the old establishment from bankruptcy.

This slapstick, cheery, little-known farce provides a bouncy platform for the endearing comic talents of the young hound-faced Howerd, who manages to combine depression and humour in a unique fashion.

There is not much too subtlety, invention or real wit in Alfred Shaughnessy’s screenplay and original story, alas, though they are serviceable. But there is more than competent support by a reliable British cast, propping up a fairly humble second-feature.

Also in the cast Ruby Murray, Dennis Price, Alfie Bass, Dorothy Bromiley, Katherine Kath, Gordon Harker, Reginald Beckwith, Pierre Dudan, Colin Gordon, Richard Wattis, Naomi Chance, Willoughby Goddard, Miriam Karlin, Aïché Nana, George Margo and Esma Cannon.

A Touch of the Sun is made by Raymond Stross Productions at Nettlefold Studios, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England.

Howerd also appeared in The Runaway Bus (1954), Jumping for Joy (1955), The Ladykillers (1955), Further Up the Creek (1958), The Great St Trinian’s Train Robbery (1966), Carry On Doctor (1967), Carry on Up the Jungle (1970) and The House in Nightmare Park (1973).

Singer Ruby Murray had a number one hit in 1955 with ‘Softly, Softly’. This film is her only acting role, though she also appeared in It’s Great to Be Young! (1955).

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9483

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