Bobbikins is a 1959 British comedy film directed by Robert Day and starring Shirley Jones and Max Bygraves.[1] It was made in CinemaScope and released by 20th Century Fox.[2] It was produced by the British subsidiary of 20th Century Fox and shot at Elstree Studios.

Bobbikins
Directed byRobert Day
Written byOscar Brodney
Produced byOscar Brodney
Bob McNaught
StarringShirley Jones
Max Bygraves
Billie Whitelaw
CinematographyGeoffrey Faithfull
Edited byStan Hawkes
Ralph Kemplen
Music byPhilip Green
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • 28 July 1959 (1959-07-28)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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This adventure follows the story of a young navy man, his wife and their baby son, Bobby, also known as Bobbikins. To his surprise, Dad discovers his son talks, not baby-talk or gibberish but has adult conversations with his father only. Bobbikins learns stock market tips and passes them to his Dad.

After making a killing on the stock market, problems really begin. The dad is presumed mad, the government is after him, and the breakdown of relations between the young couple ensues. But there is hope.

Cast

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Critical reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Though the film's gimmick of a talking baby is in itself capably handled, its development is feeble, and the film has little more than Max Bygraves' bright personality to rely on."[3]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 1/5 stars, writing: "Even die-hard Max Bygraves fans will be hard pressed to squeeze much enjoyment out of this cinematic lemon. Impoverished entertainer Bygraves becomes rich after his 14-month-old baby begins picking up financial titbits from his park bench conversations with Chancellor Charles Carson. Preposterous."[4]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "mediocre", writing: "Preposterous and over-sentimental comedy just about gets by on the charm of the baby and stars."[5]

British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "Not at all a good idea, and feebly executed."[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Bobbikins". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  2. ^ "Bobbikins (1959) - Robert Day | Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related | AllMovie".
  3. ^ "Bobbikins". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 26 (300): 122. 1 January 1959 – via ProQuest.
  4. ^ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 115. ISBN 9780992936440.
  5. ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 286. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
  6. ^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 127. ISBN 0586088946.
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