The Constant Husband [Marriage a la Mode] *** (1955, Rex Harrison, Margaret Leighton, Kay Kendall, Cecil Parker, Nicole Maurey, George Cole, Raymond Huntley, Jill Adams, Valerie French) – Classic Movie Review 4512

That sterling high-comedy actor Rex Harrison was lured back from Hollywood to British movies again with co-producer/ co-writer/ director Sidney Gilliat’s daft piece of fluff 1955 comedy film, with a delightful cast of players, most notably among them Kay Kendall and Margaret Leighton.

It also stars Cecil Parker, Nicole Maurey (1925 – 11 March 2016), George Cole (1925 – 5 August 2015), Raymond Huntley, Michael Hordern, Eric Pohlmann, Robert Coote, Jill Adams (1930 – 2008), Valerie French (1928 – 1990) and Muriel Young.

Jill Adams (1930–2008).

It is all about an amnesia victim called Charles Hathaway (Harrison) and his seven wives. Hathaway wakes up in Wales with no recall of who he is or why he is there. However, he traces his gorgeous wife and their large London house, with the help of a Cardiff investigator. But then a series of other wives is revealed, landing him in trouble with the law – and his bigamy-case lawyer (Leighton) then falls for him as well!

Nicole Maurey (1925 – 11 March 2016)

Given an under-powered script struggling to develop a decent idea, and with not too many funny lines, the smashing performances of the vintage cast are mostly all it is got going for it. But fortunately that is enough to keep it very amusing. Harrison is ideal and director Gilliat keeps it smartly moving along, while Ted Scaife’s Technicolor photography is another strong asset.

Valerie French (1928–1990).

Also in the cast are Marie Burke, Ursula Howells, Arthur Howard, John Robinson, Guy Deghy, Charles Lloyd Pack, Noel Hood, Sam Kydd, Jill Melford, Michael Ripper, Alfred Burke, George Woodbridge, Sally Lahee, Roma Dunville and Paul Whitsun-Jones. British casts of the era do not come much better than this.

Gilliat’s film partner Frank Launder co-produces, as usual, and Val Valentine co-writes.

Kendall went on to play Harrison’s wife in real life when they married in 1957. They went on to make The Reluctant Debutante together.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 4512

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