Hand in Hand *** (1960, Loretta Parry, Philip Needs, Sybil Thorndike, John Gregson, Finlay Currie, Derek Sydney, Miriam Karlin, Kathleen Byron) – Classic Movie Review 13,327

Philip Leacock’s 1960 British drama film Hand in Hand stars Loretta Parry and Philip Needs as a little Jewish girl and a young Roman Catholic boy, who become best friends despite all the intolerance and prejudice around them.

Director Philip Leacock’s 1960 British drama film Hand in Hand stars Loretta Parry, Philip Needs, Sybil Thorndike, John Gregson, Finlay Currie, Derek Sydney, Miriam Karlin, and Kathleen Byron.

Hand in Hand is another artistic success with a child theme for director Leacock (The Kidnappers, The Spanish Gardener, Escapade) about the difficulties in the way of a friendship between a little Jewish girl (Loretta Parry) and a young Roman Catholic boy (Philip Needs), both around just seven. The difficulties are mostly imposed by the intolerant, prejudiced parents: Kathleen Byron as Mrs O’Malley and Barry Keegan as Mr O’Malley, and Miriam Karlin as Mrs Mathias and Arnold Diamond as Mr Mathias.

Outstanding among the many admirable performances, there are standout turns from Miriam Karlin as the girl’s mum and Kathleen Byron as the boy’s mother, though John Gregson as Father Timothy, Sybil Thorndike as Lady Caroline and Finlay Currie as Mr Pritchard are also most entertaining.

Hand in Hand may be simple, but it is sweet, warm and good-hearted, and expertly written by Welsh playwright Diana Morgan, noted for her earlier work for Ealing Studios.

But it was not a commercial success. Associated British Picture Corporation clearly had no idea what to do with it. It was made in 1960 and press screened late that year but not released in the UK until 1963, when it went out on the ABC cinema circuit as the supporting feature for the Tony Hancock comedy The Punch and Judy Man.

The film won 14 international film awards, notably a special Golden Globe Award for Best Film Promoting International Understanding and the children’s category at the Venice Film Festival.

The cast

The cast are Philip Needs as Michael O’Malley, Loretta Parry as Rachel Mathias, John Gregson as Father Timothy, Sybil Thorndike as Lady Caroline, Finlay Currie as Mr Pritchard, Miriam Karlin as Mrs Mathias, Arnold Diamond as Mr Mathias, Barbara Hicks as Miss Roberts, Derek Sydney as Rabbi Benjamin, Denis Gilmore as Tom, Kathleen Byron as Mrs O’Malley, and Barry Keegan as Mr O’Malley.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 13,327

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