Poet's Pub

1949

1h 19m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

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Comedy

Thriller

A loosely structured comedy allowing for a series of vignettes based around an ancient coaching inn. The story was adapted from the 1929 novel by Scottish writer Erik Linklater.

Directors

Frederick Wilson

Writers

Eric Linklater(novel by)

Diana Morgan(screenplay by)

Stars

Derek Bond

Rona Anderson

James Robertson Justice

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Top cast

Derek Bond

Saturday Keith

Rona Anderson

Joanna Benbow

James Robertson Justice

Prof. Benbow

Elmer Van Buren

Nelly Bly

Quentin Cotton

Holly

Miss Horsefell-Hughes

Lady Mercy Cotton

PC Windle

Jean Forbes

Williams

Lady Keith

Directors

Frederick Wilson

Writers

Eric Linklater(novel by)

Diana Morgan(screenplay by)

All cast & crew

Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

This opens up with a quite a fun exchange between poet "Saturday Keith" (Derek Bond) - "Frankly, sir, I'm lost for words" and literary critic "Prof. Benbow" (James Robertson Justice) - "I know, sir, I've read your works..." that rather sets the tone for this light-hearted post-war comedy set in a rustic inn that is struggling to make ends meet. The not-so-hot poet is, rather imprudently, made the manager of this establishment and as he gradually falls for "Joanna" (Rona Anderson) - the daughter of his nemesis - what ensues is a rather entertainingly prickly love story that also finds itself embroiled in a little kidnapping intrigue - and, the mystery of a secret room! I always found that Joyce Grenfell could light up the screen just by smiling, and though that's just about all she does here, she and JRJ do just about enough to keep Eric Linklater's jolly whimsy enjoyable for eighty minutes with some borderline farce and silliness. No, you will not remember watching it half an hour after it's done, but it is still worth a watch to see some true professionals make a small silk purse from a bit of a sow's ear.

Geronimo196716 Apr, 2023