Review of Touch and Go

Today Sunday 2nd/August/2015 I saw an Ealing comedy I had never seen before.I am 69 years old, a life long British resident and thought I had seen most of the Ealing film comedies but never this one - "Touch and Go" (1955) - it was a first.The commercial TV station "London Live" is currently showing a season of BFI works of Ealing Films distributed by the Rank Organisation.What a treasure trove the BFI must have in their vaults! The late Jack Hawkins plays the head of design for a furniture factory and has modern ideas for production.Unfortunately his boss (James Hayter) is stuck in the past and dismisses Jack's modern designs.Jack lives in Chelsea (his house would be worth millions now!) with his wife, teenage daughter played by the tragically short lived June Thorburn and their black cat Heathcliffe.After falling out with his boss he feels a better career would be his in Australia and proceeds to move there with his family.The cat however sets them a problem because of quarantine laws in OZ.Taking the cat to a lady who will look after it for a while June Thorburn loses it from its basket on Chelsea Bridge and a young engineering student played by John Frazer rescues it for June.Of course the inevitable romance ensues between them putting Jack into a dilemma since the young man and his daughter want to wed.Remember in 1955 there was still an acute housing shortage after WWII and Jack after first blustering, calmly outlines the practical problems for young people getting married.

I won't provide a spoiler and am surprised this film is not on a commercial vintage DVD.Suffice it to say all ends happily for all concerned as this is a gentle British comedy.London Live have lately been repeating showing of these Ealing films so watch out and you may catch it too.