''William Comes to Town'' is a 1948 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

Val Guest Val Guest (born Valmond Maurice Grossman; 11 December 1911 – 10 May 2006) was an English film director and screenwriter. Beginning as a writer (and later director) of comedy films, he is best known for his work for Hammer, for whom he direct ...

and starring William Graham and

Garry Marsh Garry Marsh (21 June 1902 – 6 March 1981) was an English stage and film actor. Born Leslie Marsh Gerahty in St Margarets, Surrey, his parents were George and Laura. His elder brothers were the author Digby George Gerahty and the journalist ...

. It was based on the Just William series of novels by

Richmal Crompton Richmal Crompton Lamburn (15 November 1890 – 11 January 1969) was a popular English writer, best known for her ''Just William'' series of books, humorous short stories, and to a lesser extent adult fiction books. Life Richmal Crompton Lambu ...

. It served as a loose sequel to 1947 film '' Just William's Luck''. It is also known by its U.S.

alternative title An alternative title is a media sales device most prominently used in film distribution. Books and films are commonly released under a different title when they are screened or sold in a different country. This can vary from small change to the t ...

''William Goes to the Circus''.

Plot

William Brown and his gang the Outlaws visit the Prime Minister in Downing Street to demand shorter school hours and better pay for kids. The newspaper publicity caused by their visit lands William and his friends in trouble with their parents. William almost ruins his chances of going to the circus (his parents made him promise to stay out of trouble), but somehow he finally finds his way there.

Cast

* William Graham - William Brown *

- Mr. Brown *

Jane Welsh Jane may refer to: * Jane (given name), a feminine given name * Jane (surname), related to the given name Film and television * ''Jane'' (1915 film), a silent comedy film directed by Frank Lloyd * ''Jane'' (2016 film), a South Korean drama fi ...

- Mrs. Brown *

Hugh Cross Hugh Cross (24 September 1925 – 14 May 1989) was a British television and film actor. Selected filmography * '' Just William's Luck'' (1947) * '' William Comes to Town'' (1948) * ''Warning to Wantons'' (1949) * ''Seven Days to Noon'' (195 ...

- Robert Brown * Kathleen Stuart - Ethel Brown *

Muriel Aked Muriel Aked (9 November 1883 – 21 March 1955) was an English film actress. Early life, family and education Aked was born in Bingley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England to George Henry Aked and his wife Emma (née Bairstow). She was a studen ...

- Emily, the maid *

A. E. Matthews Alfred Edward Matthews (22 November 186925 July 1960), known as A. E. Matthews, was an English actor who played numerous character roles on the stage and in film for eight decades. Already middle-aged when films began production, he enjoyed inc ...

- Minister for Economic Affairs * Brian Weske - Henry * James Crabbe - Douglas * Brian Roper - Ginger * Michael Balfour - Stall-holder *

Michael Medwin Michael Hugh Medwin, OBE (18 July 1923 – 26 February 2020) was an English actor and film producer. Life and career Medwin was born in London. He was educated at Canford School, Dorset, and the Institute Fischer, Montreux, Switzerland. He ...

- Reporter *

Jon Pertwee John Devon Roland "Jon" Pertwee (; 7 July 1919 – 20 May 1996) was an English actor, comedian, entertainer, cabaret performer and TV presenter. Born into a theatrical family, he served in the Royal Navy and the Naval Intelligence Division during ...

- Circus Superintendent * David Page - Hubert Lane (as David Paige) *

Norman Pierce Norman Pierce (5 September 1900 – 22 March 1968) was a British actor. He was born in Southport, Lancashire. He died in Helions Bumpstead, Essex, England on 22 March 1968 at the age of 67. He played pub landlords and barmen in a number of ...

- Police Sergeant * Eve Mortimer - Postmistress * John Powe - Glazier * Mary Vallange - Maid *

Peter Butterworth Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth (4 February 1915''Prisoner of War Co ...

- Postman * Donald Clive - Ethel's boyfriend * John Warren - 2nd Circus official * Alan Goford - 1st Circus official * Basil Gordon - 3rd Circus official * Claude Bonsor - 4th Circus official *

Ivan Craig Walter Ivan Sackville Craig (22 February 1912 – 7 March 1995) was a British (Scottish) actor, the son of Dr. Eric S. Craig and Dorothy Gertrude Meldrum. Ivan Craig was born in Edinburgh. In 1940 he married Lilian May Davies, a fashion mo ...

- 1st Carter * John Martell - 2nd Carter * Pinkie Hannaford - Small boy *

Edward Malin Edward Ernest Malin (23 October 1894 in Stoke Newington, London – 1 March 1977 in Ealing, London) was a British actor. He is perhaps most famous for portraying the mute and geriatric Walter in the sitcom '' Nearest and Dearest''. He also h ...

- Toy Shop Man * Slim Rhyder - Tramp Cyclist * Arthur Stanley - Oldest Inhabitant

Critical reception

Allmovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was founded by popular-cult ...

called the film, "one of the better efforts in this off-and-on series."

References

Bibliography

* Collins, Fiona & Ridgman, Jeremy. ''Turning the Page: Children's Literature in Performance and the Media''. Peter Lang, 2006.

External links

*
dvd, of ''William Comes to Town''
1948 films 1940s English-language films Films directed by Val Guest British black-and-white films British comedy films 1948 comedy films 1940s British films {{1940s-UK-comedy-film-stub