Spring Handicap
| Spring Handicap | |
|---|---|
![](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:"Spring_Handicap"_(1937).jpg) Original trade ad | |
| Directed by | Herbert Brenon |
| Written by | William Freshman Elizabeth Meehan |
| Based on | play by Ernest E. Bryan |
| Produced by | Walter C. Mycroft |
| Starring | Will Fyffe Maire O'Neill Billy Milton Aileen Marson |
| Cinematography | Otto Kanturek |
| Edited by | Lionel Tomlinson |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Associated British Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 69 minutes[2] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Spring Handicap is a 1937 British comedy film directed by Herbert Brenon and starring Will Fyffe, Maire O'Neill and Billy Milton.[3][4] It was written by William Freshman and Elizabeth Meehan based on the play The Last Coupon by Ernest E. Bryan. The film was made as a quota quickie by the Associated British Picture Corporation at their Elstree Studios.[5]
Premise
[edit]A wife tries to prevent her husband, a miner, from gambling away the money he receives as an inheritance.
Cast
[edit]- Will Fyffe as Jack Clayton
- Maire O'Neill as Meg Clayton
- Billy Milton as Len Redpath
- Aileen Marson as Barbara Clayton
- Frank Pettingell as Scullion
- David Burns as Amos
- Hugh Miller as Selby
- Beatrice Varley as Mrs Tulip
- Wilfrid Hyde White as Hawkins (uncredited)
Reception
[edit]Kine Weekly wrote: "The plot is extravagant, but it contains much homely sentiment winning by-play and quips that will be realised by all classes and both sexes. Will Fyffe is a tower of strength in the leading role, he is a comedian of limitless resource; Maire O'Neill strikes the human note firmly opposite him; and the rest contribute wholehearted support. The staging is decorative rather than convincing, but it adequately fits the simple play's many and effectively alternating moods. Good fun with a capacity to touch the emotions, the film should score readily on the average two-feature programme."[6]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Will Fyffe turns in capital performance as shiftless, but lovable leading character, Maire O'Neill scoring as long-suffering wife. Pleasant romantic angles, convincing human touches, and comedy passages provide additional entertainment, while settings are well varied. Good robust popular fare."[7]
References
[edit]- ↑ Low p.390
- ↑ Chibnall p.297
- ↑ "Spring Handicap". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 11 October 2026.
- ↑ "Spring Handicap". BFI. Archived from the original on 11 July 2012.
- ↑ Chibnall, Steve (2007). Quota Quickies: The Birth of the British 'B' Film. British Film Institute. p. 297. ISBN 978-1844571550.
- ↑ "Spring Handicap". Kine Weekly (1568): 20. 6 May 1937. ProQuest 2339761498.
- ↑ "Spring Handicap". The Daily Film Renter (3150): 4. 1 May 1937. ProQuest 3127089960.