Very much a leftover from the 1950s - much the same as the football rattle itself.Indeed if you ever attended a match where football rattles were the weapons of choice for the supporters,you may well remember "Rattle of a simple man" as a pretty daring and racy movie for your local Odeon to put on.Forty five years on, when what former Manchester United captain Mr Roy Keane referred to as the "Prawn Sandwich Brigade" of Southern - based stockbrokers seem to dominate that great old club,simple rosette-wearing,rattle-carrying supporters like Mr Harry H Corbett(so named to distinguish him from the puppeteer and inventor of "Sooty" Mr Harry Corbett) are as extinct as "man of the people" footballers,both species victims of the greed that dominates the once fine old game. But in 1964 rattles were still de rigeur(I carried a claret and blue one to the Cup Final that year without seeming in the slightest an anachronism.) Whenever fans came en masse to London a visit to Soho was obligatory.I'm sure many a pimp's eyes sparkled when the lads - and it was always lads, were "up for 't' cup". Innocent Mr Corbett is egged on by his pals to go with tart (The beautiful and sexy Miss Diane Cilento).In a cross between the warmth of Priestley and the irony of Maugham the story unfolds very satisfactorily helped no end by two vital and moving performances by the leads. Because the Swinging Sixties had yet to be invented there is no sexual frankness,no bad language and no violence.Instead we have a character - based gently amusing comedy that we Brits used to do really well and consider nothing remarkable. Now,as a snapshot of a lost age of manners and morals it is priceless.
11 Reviews
A priceless snapshot of a lost age of morals and manners........
ianlouisiana10 April 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Absolutely wonderful
laduqesa19 November 2023
I was reminded of this film today in an article from the Guardian newspaper. I saw it at the age of 13 in the local fleapit, now a listed art deco building. I'm pretty sure it came with an X certificate, but I was big for my age and got in to many restricted shows - I'd got into The Birds a few months earlier. I also seem to recall that it was the "B" film and that I rated it far higher than the "A" film. I was blown away.
I only recall snippets now. Percy's petting of a cat. Mum's running to deliver a packed lunch. The rough lads and their baiting. I could empathise with Percy because although I ran with some yobs, I was also studious and had to keep a tight rein on being an outsider.
To my unformed mind, the conversation between Percy and Cyrenne was the love story of the century. I was utterly transfixed. And then (no spoilers) the ending.
I haven't seen it since. Who knows if I'd rate it as highly the second time round? However, it's stayed in my memory all these years, especially the way Corbett transformed himself from his part in Steptoe and Son to this naïve put upon virgin.
If one could shed the baggage of sixty years, I'd say watch it. But I don't think I'd be able to, so the film will remain as a memory of my youth.
I only recall snippets now. Percy's petting of a cat. Mum's running to deliver a packed lunch. The rough lads and their baiting. I could empathise with Percy because although I ran with some yobs, I was also studious and had to keep a tight rein on being an outsider.
To my unformed mind, the conversation between Percy and Cyrenne was the love story of the century. I was utterly transfixed. And then (no spoilers) the ending.
I haven't seen it since. Who knows if I'd rate it as highly the second time round? However, it's stayed in my memory all these years, especially the way Corbett transformed himself from his part in Steptoe and Son to this naïve put upon virgin.
If one could shed the baggage of sixty years, I'd say watch it. But I don't think I'd be able to, so the film will remain as a memory of my youth.
Diane Cilento
ianmcnamara624 June 2022
92 minutes with a screen Goddess
Neil-Coward114 July 2004
I first saw this film as an impressionable teenager and after the scene where the gorgeous Diane Cilento dances around her bed sitting room she overtook Alexandra Bastedo of The Champions as the most beautiful woman ever.
The plot is simple. Group of Manchester United footy fans go down to London for a big match. The quiet, shy northern oik played by Harry H Corbett, accepts a drunken bet to spend the night with the classy Diane Cilento.
What follows is an amusing comedy dialogue between the experienced worldly prostitute and shy and awkward Corbett as they dance around the issue. Can she entice him to bed? or will he lose his bet and return, ashamed, back to his friends before the coach leaves at midnight?
While this dialogue is going on, the sub plot involves his mates going from pub to pub getting more and more drunk. This is quite amusing also as you warm to the characters as the evening progresses.
If you like old films and gentle comedy then this one is a gem.
The plot is simple. Group of Manchester United footy fans go down to London for a big match. The quiet, shy northern oik played by Harry H Corbett, accepts a drunken bet to spend the night with the classy Diane Cilento.
What follows is an amusing comedy dialogue between the experienced worldly prostitute and shy and awkward Corbett as they dance around the issue. Can she entice him to bed? or will he lose his bet and return, ashamed, back to his friends before the coach leaves at midnight?
While this dialogue is going on, the sub plot involves his mates going from pub to pub getting more and more drunk. This is quite amusing also as you warm to the characters as the evening progresses.
If you like old films and gentle comedy then this one is a gem.
One of my all time favorite movies, with wonderful British Humor!
Jim-5043 October 1999
Saw this movie in 1967 or 1968 while deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS Ranger. When this movie arrived, all thought it was a "clunker." Turned out to be what we called "a real sleeper." Wonderful tale of turning the tables on a bunch of people who want to make a fool of someone, totally at the victims expense, and fail miserably, and they then become victims of their own stupidity. British humor woven splendidly into all the plots. Would love to acquire a copy.
Percy is a close relative to Harold in this tired play adaptation full of clichés
malcolmgsw7 December 2013
Difficult to believe that in the era of the British new wave that they were making films as clichéd and patronising as this,not to say generally unfunny.It is clear that Percy is a close relative to Harold with the sole exception of the fact that he is hen pecked by his mother rather than scolded by his father.The characters are all clichés,P_ercy the virgin meeting up with the tart with a heart of gold.The only dark lining being the hint at incest.There has been an attempt to open out the play,the trouble is that sooner or later we come back to the bedroom and have to put up with the antics of Percy.No wonder the British cinema was in such decline if this is the sort of film that they were making.
A little gem of a film
finnigan224 April 2001
I've seen this film twice over the years on the late night movies and would gladly buy a copy but it doesn't seem to be available on VHS anywhere from anybody - and believe me, I've looked! This is a pity because for a low budget film in black and white, most of which takes place between two people in one room, it succeeds in holding your interest as you really care what happens to the two principals. The movie takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride as you laugh and cry with them through their hopes, anger, fears and dreams. I would rate this as a 10 out of 10.
More than 40 years on I still remember this film
imxo17 November 2007
I saw the "The Rattle of A Simple Man" probably in the North Atlantic in December of 1965 and still sit up when I hear or read the name of Diane Cilento. She and the movie made that big an impression on me! I've certainly been a fan of British film ever since.
As a 21 year old soldier coming back from Europe on the troop ship USNS General Maurice Rose, I saw the film sitting on the cold hard floor of one of the ship's spaces. I'm not even sure there was a screen; the film may just have been projected on one of the walls of the compartment, and as the ship rocked and rolled over the waves, so, too, did the film. Besides immediately falling in love with Diane Cilento, I can still remember being amazed that the U.S. military - not exactly a paragon of intellect or sophistication, especially in those years - was actually showing this English film to the troops. After all, I had just spent several years of enduring the Army's favoring the commentary of Paul Harvey on Armed Forces Radio and of reading the Army's self-serving coverage in the European Stars and Stripes newspaper.
There is an atmosphere of Britain transmitted in this film that doesn't even exist in Britain, itself, anymore. I hope you enjoy the film now as much as I did then.
As a 21 year old soldier coming back from Europe on the troop ship USNS General Maurice Rose, I saw the film sitting on the cold hard floor of one of the ship's spaces. I'm not even sure there was a screen; the film may just have been projected on one of the walls of the compartment, and as the ship rocked and rolled over the waves, so, too, did the film. Besides immediately falling in love with Diane Cilento, I can still remember being amazed that the U.S. military - not exactly a paragon of intellect or sophistication, especially in those years - was actually showing this English film to the troops. After all, I had just spent several years of enduring the Army's favoring the commentary of Paul Harvey on Armed Forces Radio and of reading the Army's self-serving coverage in the European Stars and Stripes newspaper.
There is an atmosphere of Britain transmitted in this film that doesn't even exist in Britain, itself, anymore. I hope you enjoy the film now as much as I did then.
Innocent days
steven-8714 September 2016
The story line is almost irrelevant in this touching tale of two completely unrelated people who, by chance, come together and find that, indeed, opposites do attract.
Harry H.Corbett, literally on the verge of debuting the role of Harold Steptoe, preludes facets of that character in his role as Percy, the "simple" man who turns out to be anything but. Diane Cilento as Cyrenne excels as the world-wise lady of the night who, possibly, craves the stability of a life she's overly quick to deride.
I love this charming little character study - and it includes one of the most poignant lines in the history of movies, hidden away as it is in a film long since forgotten.
"I'm 39. You came along too late" he says to Cyrenne , as he realises the opportunity of a life outwith the confines of the cotton mill and his mother's strings could only ever be a fantasy....or is it? Cue the delightful last scene.
Don't miss this. Do what you have to do to view it.
Harry H.Corbett, literally on the verge of debuting the role of Harold Steptoe, preludes facets of that character in his role as Percy, the "simple" man who turns out to be anything but. Diane Cilento as Cyrenne excels as the world-wise lady of the night who, possibly, craves the stability of a life she's overly quick to deride.
I love this charming little character study - and it includes one of the most poignant lines in the history of movies, hidden away as it is in a film long since forgotten.
"I'm 39. You came along too late" he says to Cyrenne , as he realises the opportunity of a life outwith the confines of the cotton mill and his mother's strings could only ever be a fantasy....or is it? Cue the delightful last scene.
Don't miss this. Do what you have to do to view it.
Just Superb
Janegael1 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of the sweetest films I've ever seen. It is probably not that interesting to the typical American audience who wants to see someone killed or something blow up every few minutes. Instead this little film relies on excellent writing and acting so good you'd swear you are spying on real people. The female lead is an ex-wife of Sean Connery. I have never seen any of the other actors, making this film seem even more real.
It is an unusual love story, unexpected by the characters and the audience. It is the way life SHOULD be, but seldom is. If you ever have the chance to see it -- LEAP at it! It's a film that will stick in your mind in that little dusty corner where gentle love stories reside. :)
It is an unusual love story, unexpected by the characters and the audience. It is the way life SHOULD be, but seldom is. If you ever have the chance to see it -- LEAP at it! It's a film that will stick in your mind in that little dusty corner where gentle love stories reside. :)
A Right Of Passage
harveyhudson-978774 April 2021
I think this is an excellent film. It reflects events that most young men experience during their lifetime. A sort of right of passage! Or, it did for me. This film brings back long forgotten memories from a distant past. As, I too come from Manchester!
The acting is brilliant with full marks going to Harry H. Corbett, Diane Cilento and Michael Medwin. I can relate to each of these characters as they each give a very convincing performance for what is in reality a low budget sixties production.
Muriel Box is the director. She was one of Britain's most prolific directors during the 1950/60's. Sadly, this was her last effort as a director. She passed away in 1991.
I love the pathos and the humour this comedy/drama evokes over 96 minutes. I hope you feel the same as I did after watching the film. Especially if like me you were born in the post war era and grew up during the 1960's. A great little movie.
The acting is brilliant with full marks going to Harry H. Corbett, Diane Cilento and Michael Medwin. I can relate to each of these characters as they each give a very convincing performance for what is in reality a low budget sixties production.
Muriel Box is the director. She was one of Britain's most prolific directors during the 1950/60's. Sadly, this was her last effort as a director. She passed away in 1991.
I love the pathos and the humour this comedy/drama evokes over 96 minutes. I hope you feel the same as I did after watching the film. Especially if like me you were born in the post war era and grew up during the 1960's. A great little movie.
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