Review of The Family Way

A wonderfully gentle, warm funny movie set in Lancashire. One of the best to come out in the 1960s, memorable performances from some fine British actors. There are scenes that I will never forget even though I have not seen the movie since it was released in 1966. Liz Fraser and Barry Foster were just hilarious, Marjorie Rhodes had tears streaming down my face and the late, lamented Sir John Mills was superb. I wish, I wish it were available to buy on DVD. So many of Hayley Mills' movies have not seen the light of day for so long that one wonders if there is some kind of embargo on them - fans of her work will no doubt know what I mean. She is sweet, tender, vulnerable and utterly charming as Jenny Fitton - very authentic northern vowels and an excellent performance. The character roles were by far the juicier ones and the excellent cast seize on their characters like ravening wolves - I never seen Marjorie Rhodes so electrifying. I suppose you probably need to be English and from the Manchester area to fully appreciate every nuance of expression and bask in the resonance of this great, smashing movie. On the other hand, I don't suppose it matters where you come from to appreciate young Hayley's scene in the bathtub when the camera lingers for a few heart-stopping moments on her perfect little bare bottom. Thank you, Hayley.