Main Cast: Hayley Mills, Hywel Bennett, John Comer, Avril Angers, John Mills
Release Year: 1966
Country: UK
Run Time: 115 minutes
Plot
This gently farcical British comedy stars Hayley Mills and Hywel Bennett as Jenny and Arthur, a young couple who have just gotten married. However, while both of them are filled with anticipation for their honeymoon, a practical joke played by their "friends" causes their bed to collapse just as they're about to consummate their relationship. Through a variety of misfortunes, they end up spending the night at the home of Arthur's parents, where nervousness and a certain lack of privacy make it difficult for them to enjoy their first night together as they'd wish. While a bit of frank language and some fleeting nudity by former child star Hayley Mills generated a certain amount of controversy upon first release, by today's standards The Family Way is more easily seen as the compassionate relationship comedy its creators intended. The Family Way is also of note to Beatles fans as the first film scored by Paul McCartney. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Review
Considered rather scandalous in its time, particularly for showing former child star Hayley Mills' exposed posterior, The Family Way now seems fairly dated and somewhat artificial, both in subject matter and in treatment. It's also a rather uncomfortable blend of sentimental comedy, knockabout farce, and "kitchen sink" realism; trying too hard to contain all of these elements, it fails to satisfy completely. That said, there's a lot to enjoy in Family, starting with the manner in which director Roy Boulting captures the claustrophobic lives endured by the working-class poor. He appreciates the limitations that these characters must endure because of their economic circumstances, but also appreciates the humor that can arise from these circumstances. And he handles the father-son relationship that is the real crux of the picture with great facility. In her first "adult" role, Hayley Mills is charming and appealing without being cloying. Her newly betrothed, the sensitive Hywel Bennett is a good match for her, and both are good company to spend time with. But it is John Mills, as the bridegroom's father, who dominates the film. Loutish, crude, obstinate, and oppressive, he uses his obnoxious qualities to mask his own fears and inadequacies; it is a marvelous piece of acting from a great actor. As his wife, Marjorie Rhodes also makes a strong impression. If Family is a bit obvious in its lessons, it's still worth seeing for John Mills' excellent work. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Wilfred Pickles - Uncle Fred; Marjorie Rhodes - Lucy Fitton; Barry Foster - Joe Thompson; Liz Fraser - Molly Thompson; Andrew Bradford - Eddie; Thorley Walters - Vicar; Colin Gordon - Mr. Hutton, Travel Agent; Ruth Trouncer - Marriage Counselor; Harry Locke - Mr. Stubbs; Lesley Daine - Dora; Diana Coupland - Mrs. Rose; Fanny Carby - Mrs. Stone; Helen Booth - Mrs. Lee; Margaret Lacey - Mrs. Harris; Murray Head - Geoffrey Fitton; Robin Parkinson - Mr. Phillips; Kathy Staff; Ruth Gower; Hazel Bainbridge
Credit
Alan Withy - Art Director, Bridget Sellers - Costume Designer, Roy Boulting - Director, Ernest Hosler - Editor, Paul McCartney - Composer (Music Score), Trevor Crole-Rees - Makeup, Harry Waxman - Cinematographer, John Boulting - Producer, Roy Boulting - Screenwriter, Jeffrey Dell - Screenwriter, Bill Naughton - Screenwriter, Bill Naughton - Play Author
The Family Way is a 1966Britishcomedy film based on Bill Naughton's play All in Good Time (1963). It began life in 1961 as a television play entitled Honeymoon Postponed.[1] The film was produced and directed by John and Roy Boulting, respectively, and starred father and daughter John Mills and Hayley Mills. Naughton adapted the play himself.
A realistic, working-class comedy set in Bolton in northern England, the story concerns newly-wed couple Jenny and Arthur Fitton (Hayley Mills and Hywel Bennett) who live with Arthur’s parents Ezra and Lucy (John Mills and Marjorie Rhodes), and who are unable to consummate their marriage. As tongues begin to wag, tensions rise and truths begin to emerge, particularly about Ezra and his onetime best friend, Billy.
