''Wanted!'' is a 1937 British

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by

George King George King may refer to: Politics * George King (Australian politician) (1814–1894), New South Wales and Queensland politician * George King, 3rd Earl of Kingston (1771–1839), Irish nobleman and MP for County Roscommon * George Clift King (18 ...

and starring

Zasu Pitts Zasu Pitts (; January 3, 1894 – June 7, 1963) was an American actress who starred in many silent dramas, including Erich von Stroheim's epic 1924 silent film ''Greed'', and comedies, transitioning successfully to mostly comedy films with the ...

Claude Dampier Claude Dampier (born Claud Conolly Cowan; 23 November 1878 – 1 January 1955) was an English film actor and popular character comedian in the early 20th century. Life He was born in Clapham, South London as Claud Conolly Cowan.Richard Anthony ...

and Mark Daly. It was made at

Shepperton Studios Shepperton Studios is a film studio located in Shepperton, Surrey, England, with a history dating back to 1931. It is now part of the Pinewood Studios Group. During its early existence, the studio was branded as Sound City (not to be confused w ...

as a

quota quickie The Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 ('' 17 & 18 Geo. V'') was an act of the United Kingdom Parliament designed to stimulate the declining British film industry. It received Royal Assent on 20 December 1927 and came into force on 1 April 1928. D ...

.Chibnall p.298

Premise

The Oatfields, a married couple, are mistaken for jewel thieves and forced to go to a party. The husband accidentally turns on the

burglar alarm A security alarm is a system designed to detect intrusion, such as unauthorized entry, into a building or other areas such as a home or school. Security alarms used in residential, commercial, industrial, and military properties protect against ...

and the real

criminal In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definitions of", in Can ...

s are apprehended.

Cast

as Winnie Oatfield *

as Henry Oatfield * Mark Daly as Mr. Smithers *

Norma Varden Norma Varden Shackleton (20 January 1898 – 19 January 1989), known professionally as Norma Varden, was an English-American actress with a long film career. Life and career Early life Born in London, the daughter of a retired sea captain ...

as Mrs. Smithers *

Finlay Currie William Finlay Currie (20 January 1878 – 9 May 1968) was a Scottish actor of stage, screen, and television.McFarlane, Brian (28 February 2014). ''The Encyclopedia of British Film: Fourth edition''. Oxford University Press. pp. 175-176; He re ...

as Uncle Mart *

Kathleen Harrison Kathleen Harrison (23 February 1892 – 7 December 1995) was a prolific English character actress best remembered for her role as Mrs. Huggett (opposite Jack Warner and Petula Clark) in a trio of British post-war comedies about a working ...

as Belinda * Billy Holland as Harry the Hick *

Stella Bonheur Stella Bonheur (5 December 1904 – 10 October 1997) was a British actress. She also appeared on stage, e.g. in '' Rookery Nook'', one of the Aldwych farces by Ben Travers. Selected filmography * '' Red Wagon'' (1933) * '' The Elder Brother'' (1 ...

as Baby Face * Billy Bray as Sparrow Hawkins *

Arthur Goullet Arthur Goullet (1894–1978) was a British stage, film and television actor. He played the role of Sebastian Moran in the 1937 Sherlock Holmes film '' Silver Blaze''.Nollen p.298 Selected filmography * '' Down River'' (1931) * '' A Gentleman o ...

as Bonelli *

Alfred Wellesley Alfred Wellesley (25 July 1872 – 7 December 1943) was an English stage and film actor.British Film Institute websiteAlfred Wellesley /ref> Partial filmography * '' The Twelve Pound Look'' (1920) * ''A Warm Corner'' (1930) * ''The New Hotel'' ...

as Lord Hotbury * Mabel Twemlow as Lady Hotbury * D.J. Williams as Captain McTurk * Bryan Herbert as Police Constable Gribble

References

Bibliography

* Chibnall, Steve. ''Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film''. British Film Institute, 2007. * Low, Rachael. ''Filmmaking in 1930s Britain''. George Allen & Unwin, 1985. * Wood, Linda. ''British Films, 1927-1939''. British Film Institute, 1986.

External links

* 1937 films British comedy films 1937 comedy films Films directed by George King Quota quickies Films shot at Shepperton Studios Films set in England British black-and-white films 1930s English-language films 1930s British films {{1930s-UK-comedy-film-stub