Touch and Go (1955)

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Jack Hawkins who is usually associated with action/adventure films in the British cinema gets a change of pace in Touch And Go. Hawkins stars in this Ealing comedy about a man who feeling unappreciated at his job decides to throw it all overboard and move bag and baggage and family to Australia. All except the family cat Heathcliff a black cat who crosses many paths and proves the catalyst for a lot of events in the film.Wife Margaret Johnston dutifully goes along, but daughter June Thorburn really has doubts when she meets the boy of her dreams John Fraser on one of the Thames River bridges. In fact Heathcliff is most certainly the catalyst there in a very funny but touching sequence.I could really identify with how they felt about Heathcliff. When I made the move from New York City to Buffalo it cost me a lot of extra money to take Simba with me. This family was going a lot farther and Hawkins just wanted to give him away. Heathcliff does have a few tricks up his sleeve.James Hayter has a nice turn as Hawkins's pompous oaf of a boss. He's enough to drive anyone to quit.This Ealing comedy has not dated a bit if the fashions in dress and music have changed a lot. Family pets are universal.

Opening scene: a man drinking a cup of the in a Haddon Hall cup. Undoubtedly it announces we are going to see a 100% British film with that characteristic Ealing bitter touch. This is an entertaining picture about a man who, having enough of a job where he is merely a furniture piece decides to quit to Australia with his family in search of a new life. But as the trip day approaches they feel less and less moody of leaving home... *Spoiler* Needless to say they will never leave England in the end...with the whole family consequent great joy. Connected with another Ealing 50's classic Another shore, the story of a family dream land will give a twist when they realize they do already live in it: their beloved England town. As in Jerome K Jerome's book the importance of the house pet is a key element in the story that has not much intrigue but results quite entertaining. Nice performances by the entire cast and an uncommon comedy role for Jack Hawkins. Enjoy it.

Like the previous reviewer I had never seen this film before until it was shown on London Live.It was made at a time when Australia was offering nine pounds assisted passages to people prepared to emigrate.This was an offer taken up by many people.This was long before TV programmes showed prospective emigrants what their new life would be like.Also in those days it seems to have been the husband who made important decisions unilaterally.Jack Hawkins plays the husband and it is so unusual to find him playing a role of this type.It is an amiable sort of film shot in a rather garish Eastman colour.This film came towards the end of Balcons reign at Ealing.

Today Sunday 2nd/August/2015 I saw an Ealing comedy I had never seen before.I am 69 years old, a life long British resident and thought I had seen most of the Ealing film comedies but never this one - "Touch and Go" (1955) - it was a first.The commercial TV station "London Live" is currently showing a season of BFI works of Ealing Films distributed by the Rank Organisation.What a treasure trove the BFI must have in their vaults! The late Jack Hawkins plays the head of design for a furniture factory and has modern ideas for production.Unfortunately his boss (James Hayter) is stuck in the past and dismisses Jack's modern designs.Jack lives in Chelsea (his house would be worth millions now!) with his wife, teenage daughter played by the tragically short lived June Thorburn and their black cat Heathcliffe.After falling out with his boss he feels a better career would be his in Australia and proceeds to move there with his family.The cat however sets them a problem because of quarantine laws in OZ.Taking the cat to a lady who will look after it for a while June Thorburn loses it from its basket on Chelsea Bridge and a young engineering student played by John Frazer rescues it for June.Of course the inevitable romance ensues between them putting Jack into a dilemma since the young man and his daughter want to wed.Remember in 1955 there was still an acute housing shortage after WWII and Jack after first blustering, calmly outlines the practical problems for young people getting married.I won't provide a spoiler and am surprised this film is not on a commercial vintage DVD.Suffice it to say all ends happily for all concerned as this is a gentle British comedy.London Live have lately been repeating showing of these Ealing films so watch out and you may catch it too.