The Happiness of Three Women ** (1954, Eynon Evans, Brenda de Banzie, Petula Clark, Patricia Cutts) – Classic Movie Review 13,363

The 1954 British drama The Happiness of Three Women stars Eynon Evans in his simple, folksy film of his own play (The Wishing Well) as a Welsh postman and poet who helps three sad women (Brenda de Banzie, Petula Clark, Patricia Cutts).

Director Maurice Elvey’s 1954 British drama The Happiness of Three Women stars Eynon Evans in his simple, folksy film of his own play (The Wishing Well) as a Welsh postman and poet who helps three sad women (Brenda de Banzie, Petula Clark, Patricia Cutts) staying at the local Wishing Well inn after they throw money in a wishing well looking for luck.

The Happiness of Three Women is mild but pleasant, with mostly appealing performances from a good cast to put it over, especially Brenda de Banzie, Petula Clark and Patricia Cutts, though there are one or two irritating characters and irritating performances.

Petula Clark sings ‘Our Love’ in a rare filmed singing performance from her in the era.

The film is made at Walton Studios Surrey, England, on sets designed by art director John Stoll.

It was released on 9 December 1954 on the Odeon cinema circuit in a double bill with The Crowded Day.

Eynon Evans’s play premiered at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, in 1946 and then later much ran for 44 performances at the Comedy Theatre, London, from 4 September to 11 October 1952 with a cast including Evans, Lupino Lane, Glyn Houston, Douglas Argent and Patsy Smart.

The cast

The cast are Brenda de Banzie as Jane Price, Eynon Evans as Amos Parry, Petula Clark as Delith, Donald Houston as John, Patricia Burke as Ann Murray, Patricia Cutts as Irene Jennings, Bill O’Connor as Peter Jennings, Gladys Hay as Amelia Smith, Glyn Houston as Morgan, Emrys Leyshon as David Miles, Hugh Pryse as The Minister, Jessie Evans as Blodwen, John Lewis as Bus Driver, Mary Jones as Mary Lewis, Julie Milton as Nancy, Eira Griffiths as Hannah, and Ronnie Harries.

Donald Houston (6 November 1923 – 13 October 1991) and Glyn Houston  (23 October 1925 – 30 June 2019) are brothers.

The Happiness of Three Women is directed by Maurice Elvey, runs 79 minutes, is made by David Dent Productions [Advance], is released by Adelphi Film, is written by Eynon Evans and Maufy Davis, is shot by Stanley Pavey [Stan Pavey], is produced by David Dent, and scored by Ted Astley [Edwin Astley].

© Derek Winnert 2025 – Classic Movie Review 13,363

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