The Good Companions *** (1957, Eric Portman, Celia Johnson, Hugh Griffith, John Fraser, Janette Scott, Joyce Grenfell, Bobby Howes, Thora Hird, Rachel Roberts ) – Classic Movie Review 7238

Director J Lee Thompson’s 1954 The Good Companions is an ideal Fifties film version of J B Priestley’s funny novel and play about a concert party on tour. Shot in Technicolor and CinemaScope, it stars Eric Portman, Celia Johnson, Hugh Griffith, John Fraser, and Janette Scott as Susie Dean.

Eric Portman, Celia Johnson and John Fraser play the disgruntled redundant Northerner Jess Oakroyd (Portman), the philanthropic unmarried spinster Miss Trant (Johnson) and the romantic young song-writing teacher Inigo Jollifant (Fraser), who join the financially flailing Dinky Doos variety troupe company, re-launch them with Miss Trant’s money, tour the country and bring them to the entertainment fore.

Thanks largely to the effects of a splendid roster of Fifties British light entertainers, and the continuing, unfailing vivacity of Priestley’s material, this is a bright, lively and very entertaining remake of the 1933 movie of The Good Companions.

Also in the cast are Joyce Grenfell (as Lady Partlit), Bobby Howes, Thora Hird (as Mrs Oakroyd), Rachel Roberts (as as Elsie and Effie Longstaff), Mona Washbourne, Alec McCowen, John le Mesurier, Anthony Newley, Shirley Anne Field, Paddy Stone, Irving Davies, John Salew, Beatrice Varley, Fabia Drake, Margaret Simons, Kim Parker, Jeremy Burnham, Brian Oulton, Ralph Truman, Lloyd Lamble, Carole Lesley, Marianne Stone, Marjorie Rhodes, Richard Leech, George Rose, Ian Wilson, Melvyn Hayes, Richard Thorp and George Woodbridge.

John Fraser published his autobiography Close Up in 2004.

The Good Companions was a box-office flop, attempting to compete with American musicals but unable to replicate the success of the book, play or original film. But it launched John Fraser’s singing career and he was even briefly a pop star appearing on TV sexy clothes for the era. In 2004 he published his autobiography Close Up, detailing his gay life and friendships. Fraser appears in John Gielgud’s role from the original.

With a score by Laurie Johnson, it updates the narrative and music to its late Fifties period when touring shows were in decline. Unfortunately, by 1957 it was regarded as out of its time, and it was typified by the British stage and screen Angry Young Men as the very kind of unrealistic depiction of working class Britain they were fighting.

The film’s failure even had the effect of damaging the novel’s popularity.

Janette Scott is Thora Hird’s daughter.

RIP John Fraser, who died on 7 November 2020 in London, aged 89. He was nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960). He published his exceptional autobiography Close Up in 2004, revealing his gay life and friendships.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7238

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