Review for The Ealing Studios Rarities Collection: Volume 3

The third set of this magnificent treasure trove project from Network. Again, a top value ‘4 for the price of one’ lucky-dip from the rarely seen Ealing film studio archives.

FRIEDA


We kick off on Disc 1 with a real period piece exploring the attitudes of the Brits to Germans immediately after the war. This Basil Dearden directed 1947 film probably divided opinion on release in just the same way as its narrative does with a deep and understandable (if illogical) hatred of all Germans immediately following WWII. Doomed to be subjected to prejudice, Frieda escapes from war torn Germany with her British lover, an RAF officer who has been shot down (David Farrar), having hurriedly married her in a bombed out church, still under fire. 


You just know where the film is going to be heading as he reassures her that when they return to his sleepy home in Britain, there will ‘nothing to be frightened of there’. To a degree he’s right. There are no bullets and bombs. But the insidious half-whispers and spiteful looks of a small-minded middle-class, middle England community prove to be just as deadly. 


Perhaps because the war was still raging during production and release for this film, Frieda was played by a Swedish girl, Mai Zettering, and she does a great job of slowly melting the hearts of hose around her, until one Christmas someone arrives and peace is shattered. 


It’s an interesting wartime film as, for once, it is about human compassion rather than mere propaganda, and deserved more of an airing than it has had thus far. Yes – it veers into romantic melodrama often as it is entertainment first and foremost, but entertainment with a heart.

CAGE OF GOLD

Next up is another Dearden film, Cage of Gold (1950) which also stars the languid David Farrar. However, this time he’s playing the part of a selfish, louche lover about town, cruelly taking advantage of various lady friend’s devotion. A surprisingly melodramatic outing for the studio, it’s a drama that pulls no punches.



Judy (Jean Simmons) falls for the caddish charms of the older man despite her previous plans to settle with a good, solid and dependable young doctor. But when it transpires that she has no money (he presumed her Father to be wealthy) the older man leaves the now pregnant Judy to her own devices and returns to Paris. When in Paris we see a second strand to his caddishness as he picks up with a lady he has let down there – a singer in a club who repeatedly falls for his charms and lies.


In what turns into a real pot-boiler, he returns to Britain to interrupt the now happy life of Judy who has settled with the young Doctor who has raised the child as his own. 


Not one for fans of good old fashioned Ealing comedy or adventure – but beautifully shot and some of the acting impressive. 


DEATH DRIVES THROUGH

At last, a move away from melodrama. Well, partially at any rate. ‘Death Drives Through’ will delight motor-sport fans with this 1930’s movie shot in large part on location at Brooklands. Thrill as cars hit dizzying heights of over 50 miles an hour and pit stops take over a minute for two tyres. 


Of course all the thrilling racing footage is set against just enough of a story to carry it through, with a motor-car designer / driver getting a big break, falling in love with the race team owner’s daughter and looking like he’s in for a perfect life. Until he crashes – and then, well you know the story. It was probably invented here so I’m reticent to call it a cliché.


An absolute treasure and I suspect for many, well worth the price of admission. 

THE IMPASSIVE FOOTMAN

Whilst this could really only be classed as more melodrama I’m afraid it does have enough character to also straddle the fringes of comedy and horror too. 


A young wife is married to a wealthy but incorrigible hypochondriac who is completely self-obsessed. She meets a young doctor on a pleasure cruise who is determined to re-acquaint himself with her when back in dock. Ironically, he turns out to be the one person who is able to save her husband when it transpires that his condition is real after all. 


Nice story but what about that ‘impassive footman’? Oh he’s there in the wings alright, just waiting to take personal advantage of his situation after years of bullied service.


Light and frothy fun though hardly a masterpiece.


All in all, a worthwhile set offered at a great value price. The transfers are excellent throughout. For me, the weakest of the sets so far but that’s probably because melodrama’s are hardly my favourite genres and at least three of the four selections could be classed as such.

Roll on set four!