To Have and to Hold is a 1951 British second feature ('B')[1] drama film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Avis Scott, Patrick Barr and Robert Ayres.[2][3][4] The screenplay was by Reginald Long based on the play by Lionel Browne. Facing death following a riding accident, a man spends his final days arranging the future romantic needs of his wife.[5]
| To Have and to Hold | |
|---|---|
.jpeg) | |
| Directed by | Godfrey Grayson |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | the play To Have and to Hold by Lionel Brown |
| Produced by | Anthony Hinds |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Walter J. Harvey |
| Edited by | James Needs |
| Music by | |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Exclusive Films (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 63 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editFollowing a riding accident, country gentleman Brian Harding is crippled and facing imminent death. His final days are spent arranging the future security of his wife and daughter. This extends to encouraging his wife to developing one of her male friendships into a romantic relationship.
Cast
edit- Avis Scott as June Harding
- Patrick Barr as Brian Harding
- Robert Ayres as Max
- Harry Fine as Robert
- Ellen Pollock as Roberta
- Richard Warner as Cyril
- Eunice Gayson as Peggy Harding
- Peter Neil as Dr. Pritchard
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Apart from a tactful performance from Patrick Barr as the cripple, and some pleasant country house backgrounds, the situation is strained for all concerned."[6]
Picturegoer wrote: "TV stars Patrick Barr and Robert Ayres come over well in the male leads of the paralytic and his cousin. Avis Scott does well as the wife, and her brother and sister are capably portrayed by Harry Fine and Ellen Pollock. One of the better British second features."[7]
Picture Show wrote: "It is well acted."[8]
The Radio Times noted "A non-starry but well-played little drama, claustrophobic, certainly not uninteresting, but not quite good enough."[9]
Britmovie called it a "Stiff upper lip romantic melodrama, not quite so bad as it sounds."[10]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Odd, strained little drama, almost redeemed by the acting."[11]
References
edit- ^ Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 77. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
- ^ "To Have and to Hold". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ Hunter, Jack (200). Hunter, Jack. House of horror: the complete Hammer Films story. Creation. p. 189. ISBN 978-0856471155.
- ^ "To Have and to Hold (1951)". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017.
- ^ "To Have and to Hold (1951) - Godfrey Grayson - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie".
- ^ "To Have and to Hold". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 18 (204): 236. 1 January 1951 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "To Have and to Hold". Picturegoer. 21: 17. 31 March 1951 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "To Have and to Hold". Picture Show. 56 (1465): 10. 28 April 1951 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "To Have and to Hold - Film from RadioTimes".
- ^ "Britmovie - Home of British Films".
- ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 389. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.