William Comes to Town ** (1948, William Graham, Garry Marsh, Jane Welsh, A E Matthews) – Classic Movie Review 11,863

Writer-director Val Guest’s 1948 British black and white comedy film William Comes to Town stars William Graham, Garry Marsh and Jane Welsh, who return as William Brown, Mr Brown and Mrs Brown, and is a sequel to Guest’s 1947 film Just William’s Luck.

Val Guest’s screenplay is based on the Just William series of novels by Richmal Crompton, in a new story in which unruly boy William Brown attempts to secure more pay and shorter hours for schoolboys. William Comes to Town, which is London. William and his gang the Outlaws visit the Prime Minister in Downing Street to make their demands and the ensuing press coverage lands the boys in trouble with their parents. But William eventually still gets his treat to visit the circus, hence its American title, as it is also known by its US title of William Goes to the Circus.

It is shot at Southall Studios, Middlesex, England.

It premiered in London on 31 December 1948.

The cast are William Graham as William Brown, Garry Marsh as Mr Brown, Jane Welsh as Mrs Brown, Hugh Cross as Robert Brown, Kathleen Stuart as Ethel Brown, Muriel Aked as Emily the maid, A E Matthews as Minister for Economic Affairs, Brian Weske as Henry, James Crabbe as Douglas, Brian Roper as Ginger, Michael Balfour as Stall-holder, Michael Medwin as Reporter, Jon Pertwee as Circus Superintendent, David Page as Hubert Lane, Norman Pierce as Police Sergeant, Eve Mortimer as Postmistress, John Powe as Glazier, Mary Vallange as Maid, Peter Butterworth as Postman, Donald Clive as Ethel’s boyfriend, Alan Goford as 1st Circus official, John Warren as 2nd Circus official, Basil Gordon as 3rd Circus official, Claude Bonsor as 4th Circus official, Ivan Craig as 1st Carter, John Martell as 2nd Carter, Pinkie Hannaford as small boy, Edward Malin as Toy Shop Man, Slim Rhyder as Tramp Cyclist, and Arthur Stanley as Oldest Inhabitant.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,863

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