Operation Bullshineis a 1959 British colourcomedy filmdirected byGilbert Gunnand starringDonald Sinden,Barbara MurrayandCarole Lesley.[1]Theworking titleof the film wasGirls in Armsthat features as a marching song in the film.[2]Gunn had filmedGirls at Seathe previous year. The new title, based on an American euphemism for a very British word with the same meaning (bullshite), comes from the frenzied activity preparing for theirbrigadier's surprise inspection. The film features 1956 Olympic gold medallistJudy Grinhamas aphysical training instructor.
| Operation Bullshine | |
|---|---|
 Originalfilm poster | |
| Directed by | Gilbert Gunn |
| Written by | Anne Burnaby Rupert Lang Gilbert Gunn |
| Produced by | Frank Godwin |
| Starring | Donald Sinden Barbara Murray Carole Lesley |
| Cinematography | Gilbert Taylor |
| Edited by | Edward B. Jarvis |
| Music by | Laurie Johnson |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Associated British-Pathé |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 mins. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The film was later also released in the US in 1963 bySeven Arts Productions.
Plot
editDuring World War II, aRoyal Artilleryofficer is assigned to ananti-aircraftbatterythat is filled with female soldiers of theAuxiliary Territorial Service.His wife who has enlisted is mistakenly posted to the battery in violation of regulations of husbands and wives serving together in the same formation. She becomes jealous of what she perceives as his paying too much attention to the other Auxiliary Territorial Service women.
Lt Brown is encouraged to take time off with his wife. He does not get word to her but through various circumstances is nevertheless tracked down by her on the train home. However Gunner White has also tracked him down and arrives at his house. The major arrives for a visit soon after and chaos ensues.
Back at camp all areas are tidied in readiness for a visit from the brigadier. The brigadier is impressed but the visit is ruined when they discover Mr and Mrs Brown kissing in the kitchen. However, at the point of reprimand, a siren sounds, warning of the approach of a German aeroplane. They man theanti-aircraft gunand shoot it down. The pilotparachutesdown and is pleased to be captured by the all-female force.
Cast
edit- Donald Sinden- Lieutenant Gordon Brown
- Barbara Murray- Private Betty Brown
- Carole Lesley- Private Marge White
- Ronald Shiner- Gunner Slocum
- Naunton Wayne- Major Pym
- Dora Bryan- Private Cox
- John Cairney- Gunner Willie Ross
- Fabia Drake- Junior Commander Maddox A.T.S.
- Joan Rice- Private Finch
- Daniel Massey- Bombardier Peter Palmer
- Peter Jones- Gunner Perkins
- Barbara Hicks- Sergeant Merrifield
- John Welsh- Brigadier
- Judy Grinham- P.T. Instructress
- Cyril Chamberlain- Orderly Sergeant
- Ambrosine Phillpotts- Reporter
- Naomi Chanceas Subaltern Godfrey A.T.S.
- Marianne Stoneas Sergeant Cook
- Harry Landisas Gunner Wilkinson
- Julie Alexanderas A.T.S. Girl
- Dorinda Stevensas A.T.S. Girl
- Amanda Barrieas A.T.S. Girl
Production
editDonald Sinden wrote in his memoirs:
A rather good comedy script on the subject of the ATS, with the ambiguous title ofGirls in Arms,was my next assignment. Many of my scenes were with my batman and I was not overjoyed when they told me that the part was to be played by Ronald Shiner: a nice enough chap but his comedy playing was of the broadest: there would be no chance of anything subtle. My heart sank even further when the title was changed toOperation Bullshine.Apart from working with some splendid actors such as Barbara Murray and Naunton Wayne it was a fairly joyless experience.[3]
Reception
editOperation Bullshinewas the tenth most popular film at the British box office in 1959.[4]According toKinematograph Weeklythe film performed "better than average" at the British box office in 1959.[5]
References
edit- ^BFI.org
- ^http:// tcm /tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=557491&category=Notes[bare URL]
- ^Sinden, Donald (1982).A touch of the memoirs.Hodder & Stoughton. p. 241.ISBN9780340262351.
- ^"Year Of Profitable British Films." Times [London, England] 1 Jan. 1960: 13. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 11 July 2012.
- ^Billings, Josh (17 December 1959). "Other better-than-average offerings".Kinematograph Weekly.p. 7.