Rattle of a Simple Man

Rattle of a Simple Man
Rattle of a Simple Man
Directed by	Muriel Box
Written by	Charles Dyer
Produced by	William J. Gell
Starring	Diane Cilento; Harry H. Corbett; Michael Medwin; Thora Hird
Cinematography	Reginald H. Wyer
Edited by	Frederick Wilson
Music by	Stanley Black
Production; company	Sydney Box Productions
Distributed by	Warner-Pathé Distributors (UK); Continental Distributing (US)
Release date	7 September 1964 (London); 20 December 1964 (US)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Languages	English, Italian
Budget	£141,500

Rattle of a Simple Man is a 1964 British comedy-drama film directed by Muriel Box and starring Diane Cilento, Harry H. Corbett and Michael Medwin, based on the 1963 play by Charles Dyer.^[2] The screenplay is about a naive man who becomes involved with a prostitute.

Premise[]

Percy is a 39-year-old socially inept, anxious virgin who pretends to be younger and travels by coach to London from Manchester with a group of friends to watch the FA Cup final. The group have a night out in Soho and a £50 bet leads Percy to spend the evening with prostitute Cyrenne.

Selected cast[]

Diane Cilento as Cyrenne
Harry H. Corbett as Percy Winthram
Michael Medwin as Ginger
Thora Hird as Mrs. Winthram
as Chalky
Hugh Futcher as Ozzie
Carole Gray as District Nurse
Barbara Archer as Iris
as Mario
Alexander Davion as Ricardo
John Ronane as Willie
Michael Robbins as George
as Papa
Marie Burke as Mama
Bryan Mosley as Mr Stratton (uncredited)
Marianne Stone as Barmaid
Brian Wilde as Fred
as 1st Stripper
as 2nd Stripper
as Strip Club Barman
Eric Mason as Strip Club Doorman
Thelma Taylor as Strip Club waitress
David Burke as Jack
Paul Ferris as Mike
as Crying Man
Roy Patrick as Sailor
as Big Joe
Christine Taylor as Party Girl
Marjie Lawrence as Barmaid (uncredited)

Production[]

Sydney Box emerged from a temporary retirement from filmmaking to buy the rights to the play for £50,000.^[3] Box originally wanted Peter Sellers for the lead role but he was too expensive.^[1]

Reception[]

Box office[]

The film was not a success at the box office.^[1]

Critical[]

Variety commented that "most of the charm and tenderness that occasionally illuminated Charles Dyer’s successful play has been lost in this coarsened, fatuous film. Only a lively, vivid performance by Diane Cilento in a contrived role holds much interest, though a sound cast does spartan work in juggling the sparse material";^[4] while Sky Movies called it "a rather touching and at times richly amusing extended playlet about an 'innocent' football fan from the north, and the night he spends talking to a London prostitute in her flat. Not very plausible, perhaps, but winningly done. As Cyrenne, the streetwalker, Diane Cilento is persuasive and just right. And Harry H Corbett was able to break away completely from his Steptoe image. Michael Medwin is also very good as Corbett's big-talking friend."^[5]

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c Andrew Spicer, Sydney Box Manchester Uni Press 2006 p 183-183
^ "Rattle of a Simple Man". BFI. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.
^ Pearson, Kenneth. "Sydney Box company makes a bid for British Lion Films." Sunday Times [London, England] 29 Dec. 1963: [1]. The Sunday Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.
^ "Advertisement". Variety.
^ "Rattle of a Simple Man". Find and Watch.

External links[]

Rattle of a Simple Man at IMDb

[box-1] Andrew Spicer, Sydney Box Manchester Uni Press 2006 p 183-183

[2] "Rattle of a Simple Man". BFI. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009.

[3] Pearson, Kenneth. "Sydney Box company makes a bid for British Lion Films." Sunday Times [London, England] 29 Dec. 1963: [1]. The Sunday Times Digital Archive. Web. 18 Apr. 2014.

[4] "Advertisement". Variety.

[5] "Rattle of a Simple Man". Find and Watch.

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