How to Murder a Rich Uncle *** (1957, Nigel Patrick, Charles Coburn, Katie Johnson, Wendy Hiller, Anthony Newley, Athene Seyler, Michael Caine) – Classic Movie Review 11,580

Director Nigel Patrick’s 1957 British black and white comedy film How to Murder a Rich Uncle stars Nigel Patrick, Charles Coburn, Katie Johnson, Wendy Hiller, Anthony Newley, Athene Seyler and Michael Caine.

How to Murder a Rich Uncle is a Ladykillers-style black comedy thriller (happily with the 78-year-old Katie Johnson, the star of that gem of a film, The Ladykillers) about a poor nobleman Sir Henry Clitterburn (Nigel Patrick, who also directs) who plans to bump off his rich visiting wealthy Canadian relative Uncle George (Charles Coburn), with disastrous results when in turn his impoverished family all bite the dust by mistake.

There are so many polished actors here that it is worth sitting back and enjoying them and not worrying too much about the rather disappointing black comedy yarn. After all, The Ladykillers is one of a kind. And Johnson is again wonderfully engaging in her final role, and she is perfectly matched by practised old scene-stealer Coburn, with smooth performances too from Nigel Patrick, Wendy Hiller, Anthony Newley and Athene Seyler.

Also notable in the cast are Michael Caine, Noel Hood, Kenneth Fortescue, Patricia Webster [Paddy Webster], Trevor Reid and Cyril Luckham.

Producer John Paxton and Max Varnel’s screenplay is based on the play Il Faux Tuer Julie by Didier Daix.

It was Patrick’s first film as director although he had directed plays in the theatre.

It is made at MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, by Warwick Films, for whom John Paxton had written the 1955 A Prize of Gold, and released by Columbia Pictures. It is produced by Irving Allen and Albert R Broccoli, along with John Paxton and Ronald Kinnoch.

Filming started 2 January 1957 and it was released in June 1957 (UK) and on 25 October 1957 in New York City.

The cast are Nigel Patrick as Sir Henry Clitterburn, Charles Coburn – Uncle George, Wendy Hiller – Edith Clitterburn, Katie Johnson – Alice, Anthony Newley – Edward, Athene Seyler – Grannie, Kenneth Fortescue – Albert, Paddy Webster – Constance, Michael Caine – Gilrony, Trevor Reid – Inspector Harris, Cyril Luckham – Coroner, Johnson Bayly – Radio Officer, Martin Boddey – Police Sergeant, Kevin Stoney – Bar Steward, Anthony Shaw – Colonial and Ian Wilson – Postman.

Katie Johnson (18 November 1878 – 4 May 1957). Sadly, Alice was her final film role, released posthumously in June 1957. After winning the British Film Academy award for best British actress as Mrs Louisa Wilberforce in The Ladykillers at the age of 76, she died less than two years later, having only appeared in this one further film. She first appeared in a film aged 53, in 1932

Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,580

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