No Time for Tears ** (1957, Anna Neagle, George Baker, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle, Flora Robson) – Classic Movie Review 11,633

The 1957 British hospital drama No Time for Tears stars Anna Neagle, George Baker, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle and Flora Robson. Despite the title, there is plenty of time for tears while looking at the trials and tribulations in a children’s hospital.

Director Cyril Frankel’s 1957 British hospital drama No Time for Tears stars Anna Neagle, George Baker, Sylvia Syms, Anthony Quayle and Flora Robson, and is based on an original story by Anne Burnaby.

Despite the title, there is plenty of time for tears while looking at the trials and tribulations of the doctors, nurses and patients in a children’s hospital, where the staff struggle with their workload.

At Mayfield Children’s Hospital, a small child risks losing his sight, twin boys fool the doctors over which one has appendicitis, and new nurse Margaret Collier (Sylvia Syms) suffers unrequited love for Doctor Nigel Barnes (George Baker).

A pleasing, capable British cast, including Anna Neagle as Matron Eleanor Hammond, George Baker as Doctor Nigel Barnes, Anthony Quayle as Doctor Graham Seagrave, Flora Robson as Sister Birch, and Sylvia Syms as Nurse Margaret Collier, seem overwhelmed by the superficiality and over-sentimentality of the script by Anne Burnaby.

But, there is good news for those prepared to stay with it and persevere. After a dull start, the picture does brighten up in the second half, leading to a satisfying resolution.

Also Alan White, Daphne Anderson, Michael Hordern, Joan Hickson, Joan Sims, Sophie Stewart, Rosalie Crutchley, Patricia Marmont, Angela Baddeley, Victor Brooks, Jessica Cairns, Celia Challoner, Cyril Chamberlain, Jessie Evans, Christopher Frost, Viola Keats, Jonathan Ley, Lucille Mapp, Richard O’Sullivan, Gillian Owen, Loretta Parry, Adrienne Posta (billed as Adrienne Poster), Marjorie Rhodes, George Rose, Judith Scott, Brian Smith, Josephine Stuart, and Christopher Whitty.

No Time for Tears is directed by Cyril Frankel, runs 86 minutes, is made by Associated British Picture Corporation, is released by Associated British-Pathé (UK), is written by Anne Burnaby, is shot in black and white by Gilbert Taylor, is produced by W A Whittaker, and is scored by Francis Chagrin.

It was released on 8 August 1957 (London, UK).

British film producer and director Herbert Wilcox, who was married to Anna Neagle, tried to secure the film rights to Anne Burnaby’s story but Associated British succeeded and gave Neagle the star role.  It became her first film not directed by Wilcox for 20 years.

The cast are Anna Neagle as Matron Eleanor Hammond, George Baker as Doctor Nigel Barnes, Sylvia Syms as Nurse Margaret Collier, Anthony Quayle as Doctor Graham Seagrave, Flora Robson as Sister Birch, Alan White as Doctor Hugh Storey, Daphne Anderson as Doctor Marian Cornish, Sophie Stewart as Sister Willis, Patricia Marmont as Sister Davies, Rosalie Crutchley as Theatre Sister, Victor Brooks as Mr. Harris, Angela Baddeley as Mrs. Harris, Jessica Cairns as Lawrie, Carla Challoner as Jenny, Cyril Chamberlain as Hall Porter, Christopher Frost as Peter, Joan Hickson as Sister Duckworth, Michael Hordern as the surgeon, Viola Keats as Mrs. McKenna, Linda Leo as sick child, Jonathan Ley as Timmy Gardener, Lucille Mapp as Maya, Richard O’Sullivan as William Reynolds, Gillian Owen as Night Nurse, Loretta Parry as Jackie, Adrienne Posta as Cathy Harris, Christopher Witty as George Harris, Marjorie Rhodes as Ethel, George Rose as Dobbie, Joan Sims as Sister O’Malley, Roy Boulting as James, John Boulting as Stephen, Judith Stott as Bridie McKenna, Jessie Evans as Mrs Reynolds, The Blake Twins, [Janice Blake and Jennifer Blake], and Hermione Harvey as hospital receptionist.

John Edward Boulting (21 December 1913 – 17 June 1985) and Roy Alfred Clarence Boulting (21 December 1913 – 5 November 2001), aka the Boulting Brothers. John was the elder by half an hour.

Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,633

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