''Fun at St. Fanny's'' is a 1955 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 o ...

directed by

Maurice Elvey Maurice Elvey (11 November 1887 – 28 August 1967) was one of the most prolific film directors in British history. He directed nearly 200 films between 1913 and 1957. During the silent film era he directed as many as twenty films per year. He ...

and starring

Fred Emney Frederick Arthur Round Emney (12 February 1902 – 25 December 1980) was an English character actor and comedian. Emney was born in Prescot, Lancashire,GRO Register of Births Mar 1902 Frederick Arthur R Emney 8b 725 PRESCOT1901 Census: ...

, Cardew Robinson and Vera Day. The film revolves around the teachers and students of St Fanny's

private school Private or privates may refer to: Music * "In Private", by Dusty Springfield from the 1990 album ''Reputation'' * Private (band), a Denmark-based band * Private (Ryōko Hirosue song), "Private" (Ryōko Hirosue song), from the 1999 album ''Private ...

, particularly the pupil Cardew the Cad who is kept at the school for many years after he should have graduated so that the dishonest headmaster can claim his inheritance. It was based on a radio show which was written by and starred Robinson. The film's sets were designed by art director Norman G. Arnold.

Cast

as Dr. Septimus Jankers * Cardew Robinson as Cardew the Cad * Vera Day as Maisie *

Johnny Brandon Johnny Brandon (16 July 1925 – 26 July 2017) was an English singer and songwriter, popular during the 1950s, who recorded for a number of labels. His perennial backing group was known as The Phantoms. His early hits included "Tomorrow" and "Don' ...

as Fanshawe *

Davy Kaye Davy Kaye MBE (born David Kodeish, 25 March 1916 – 3 February 1998) was a British comedy actor and entertainer. Early life Born in Mile End Road in the East End of London to Jewish parents Koppel and Dora Kodeish, Kaye was so small at birth ...

as Ferdy * Freddie Mills as Harry the Scar *

Gerald Campion Gerald Theron Campion (23 April 1921 – 9 July 2002) was an English actor. He is best remembered for his role as Billy Bunter in a 1950s television adaptation ('' Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School'') of books by Frank Richards (Charles Hami ...

as Fatty Gilbert *

Miriam Karlin Miriam Karlin (23 June 19253 June 2011) was an English actress whose career lasted for more than 60 years. She was known for her role as Paddy in '' The Rag Trade'', a 1960s BBC and 1970s LWT sitcom, and in particular for the character's cat ...

as Mildred * Claude Hulbert as Winkle *

Kynaston Reeves Philip Arthur Reeves (29 May 18935 December 1971), known professionally as Kynaston Reeves, was an English character actor who appeared in numerous films and many television plays and series. Early life Reeves was born in London on 29 May 189 ...

as McTavish * Gabrielle Brune as Matron *

Stanley Unwin Stanley Unwin may refer to: * Stanley Unwin (comedian) (1911–2002), South African-born comedic writer and performer * Stanley Unwin (publisher) Sir Stanley Unwin, KCMG (19 December 1884 – 13 October 1968) was a British publisher, who founde ...

as The Guide * Dino Galvani as Pumpernickel *

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

as The Potter *

Paul Daneman Paul Frederick Daneman (29 October 1925 – 28 April 2001) was an English film, television, and theatre actor. He was successful for more than 40 years on stage, film and television. Early life Paul Daneman was born in Islington, London. He att ...

as Fudge *

Roger Avon Roger Avon (23 November 1914 – 21 December 1998) was an English stage, film and television actor born in Jarrow, County Durham. Some of his television appearances include '' Hancock's Half Hour'', '' Dad's Army'', '' When the Boat Comes In' ...

as Horsetrough *

Ronnie Corbett Ronald Balfour Corbett (4 December 1930 – 31 March 2016) was a Scottish actor, broadcaster, comedian and writer. He had a long association with Ronnie Barker in the BBC television comedy sketch show '' The Two Ronnies''. He achieved promin ...

as Chumleigh * Aud Johansen as Praline * Tom Gill as Constable *

Marianne Stone Marianne Stone (23 August 1922 – 21 December 2009) was an English character actress. She performed in films from the early 1940s to the late 1980s, typically playing working class parts such as barmaids, secretaries and landladies. Stone appe ...

* Douglas Ives as Museum Attendant * Stuart Saunders as Police Sergeant * Neil Wilson as Second Museum Attendant *

Melvyn Hayes Melvyn Hayes (''né'' Hyams; 11 January 1935) is an English actor and voice over performer. He is best known for playing the effeminate Gunner (later Bombardier) "Gloria" Beaumont in the 1970s BBC sitcom ''It Ain't Half Hot Mum'', for appea ...

as Heckling Boy at Concert *

Anthony Valentine Anthony Valentine (17 August 1939 – 2 December 2015) was an English actor best known for his television roles: the ruthless Toby Meres in ''Callan'' (1967–72), the sadistic Major Horst Mohn in '' Colditz'' (1972–74), Bob in Tales of the U ...

as Schoolboy in audience

Critical reception

The Standard The Standard may refer to: Entertainment * The Standard (band), an indie rock band from Portland, Oregon * ''The Standard'' (novel), a 1934 novel by the Austrian writer Alexander Lernet-Holenia * ''The Standard'' (Tommy Flanagan album), 1980 * ...

'' called it "the British school joke stretched almost to infinity."

References

Bibliography

* Hunter, I.Q & Porter, Laraine. ''British Comedy Cinema''. Routledge, 2012.

External links

*
''Fun at St. Fanny's'' at BFI Screenonline
1955 films 1955 comedy films British comedy films 1950s English-language films Films directed by Maurice Elvey Films set in England 1950s British films British black-and-white films {{1950s-UK-comedy-film-stub