Meet Mr. Penny
| Meet Mr. Penny | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | David MacDonald |
| Written by | |
| Based on | radio series by Maurice Moiseiwitsch |
| Produced by | John Corfield |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bryan Langley |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Associated British Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £20,212[1] |
Meet Mr. Penny is a 1938 British comedy film directed by David MacDonald and starring Richard Goolden, Vic Oliver and Fabia Drake. It was made at Welwyn Studios by British National Films.[2]
Premise
A clery attempts to stop a property tycoon.
Cast
- Richard Goolden as Henry Penny
- Vic Oliver as Allgood
- Fabia Drake as Annie Penny
- Kay Walsh as Peggy Allgood
- Patrick Barr as Clive Roberts
- Hermione Gingold as Mrs. Wilson
- Wilfrid Hyde-White as Mr. Wilson
- Charles Farrell as Jackson
- Hal Walters as Cecil
- Joss Ambler as Gridley
- Jack Raine as Preston
- Renee Gadd as Mrs. Brown
- Tom Gill
- Daphne Raglan
- Gilbert Davis
Production
The film was based on a radio character plated by Richard Goolden called "Mr Penny". He debuted on radio in The Strange Adventures of Mr Penny.[3] In August 1937 it was announced John Corfeld of British National had secured the film rights.[4]
The film was meant to be the first in a series of Mr Penny movies.[5] It was meant to be followed by The Pennys Abroad.[6]
Reception
The Evening Chronicle wrote "the material is not always cinematic but admirers of Mr Penny will find it entertaining."[7]
The Guardian felt "the London atmosphere is well caught and the whole film is mildly satisfying."[8]
The film's writer Doreen Montgomery then wrote Lassie from Lancashire for British National.
References
- ^ Chapman, Llewella. "'The highest salary ever paid to a human being': Creating a Database of Film Costs from the Bank of England". Journal of British cinema and television, 2022-10. Vol. 19, no. 4. Edinburgh University Press. p. 470-494 at 480.
- ^ Wood p.98
- ^ Lazell, David (1989). What's on the wireless?. Evergreen. p. 58-59.
- ^ "Chatter- London". Variety. 4 August 1937. p. 60.
- ^ "Show topics". Grimsby Evening Telegraph. 5 March 1938. p. 2.
- ^ "ENGLISH FILM NOTES With a Few Glimpses of Australian Work", The Australian woman's mirror., Sydney: The Bulletin Newspaper, 31 May 1938, nla.obj-427095620, retrieved 15 August 2025 – via Trove
- ^ "Mr Penny filmed". Evening Chronicle. 15 November 1938. p. 11.
- ^ "Mr Penny and others". The Guardian. 9 August 1938. p. 11.
Bibliography
- Low, Rachael. Filmmaking in 1930s Britain. George Allen & Unwin, 1985.
- Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.
External links