Ha'penny Breeze is a 1950 black and white British film directed by Frank Worth and starring Edwin Richfield, Don Sharp and Gwynneth Vaughan.[4] It was the first writing credit for Sharp who also appears as an actor.[5]
| Ha'penny Breeze | |
|---|---|
 Cover of DVD release | |
| Directed by | Frank Worth |
| Written by | Don Sharp Frank Worth |
| Produced by | D’arcy Conyers |
| Starring | Don Sharp |
| Music by | Philip Green |
Production company | The Storytellers |
Release date |
|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | £8,000[1][2] or "well less than £20,000"[3] |
Plot
editDavid King and his Australian friend Johnny return to a Suffolk coastal village after the Second World War to find the community completely dispirited.
His mother had told him that his father had died during his absence, but not that the family boat-building business had closed. His father was also the mayor, but no-one has been elected in his place.
They have little luck encouraging the locals to rejoin them in the boatyard, but set about a project of converting one of their old boats into a pleasure yacht. However, this does little to encourage the old workers as they view yachts as "parasite" crafts in relation to the fishing vessels formerly made. Nevertheless, they determine to enter the as yet unfinished yacht, Allana, into a race. Only when they see her in sail do they start to gain interest.
However, when a new friend, Richard Martin, joins their circle, the villagers start to talk, as they know his name. Richard has a rival yacht, Moonraker. He says if Allana wins the race he will place an order with the boatyard.
David's sister Joan is romanced by Johnny and becomes part of the crew, but during the race she falls overboard and they lose the race stopping to rescue her. Richard wins the race but is chastised for not stopping to help.
Cast
edit- Edwin Richfield as David King
- Don Sharp as Johnny Craig
- Gwynneth Vaughan as Joan King
- Terry Everitt as Brian King
- Eva Rowland as Mrs. King
- Roger Maxwell as Mr. Simmonds
- John Powe as Barney
- Darcy Conyers as Richard Martin
- Rigby Foster as Len
Production
editThe film was an idea of Australians Don Sharp and Frank Worth who met in England. Sharp was appearing in the play Cage Me a Peacock with Conyers and Richfield.[6] They were inspired by low budget films being made in Italy on location, which saved money by not using sets or stars. They decided to find a location and write a script around it. Conyers had an old sailing cutter at Pin Mill and suggested that as a location.[1]
Sharp and Worth wrote the story together over a three-month period. They formed their own production company with Conyers and succeeded in raising finance with William Freshman attached as executive producer.[7] The bulk of the money came from George N. Gregory who sold his Leeds auction business to help finance. Conyers financed with some of his fee from appearing in a play. Filming took place in October 1949.[1][8]
Associated British Pathe offered to distribute on the understanding that everyone would be paid ten pounds a week. A Leeds auctioneer chipped in a few thousand pounds and the filmmakers provided money themselves.[9][10] When Associated British saw the film they covered the cost of the movie.[11]
The film was shot in Pin Mill, a small fishing village on the River Orwell in Suffolk.[12] Some scenes were shot in the Butt and Oyster inn.
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This is a worthy attempt by a new British company to make an independent, inexpensive film (without, incidentally, the help of the Film Finance Corporation). The story is simple, naive and not too well constructed, but its backgrounds are authentic and attractive. The photography is good, and the whole film has a pleasant freshness."[13]
The Scotsman said the film had "too much of the naivete and the emotion of the amateur shine through [...] often the dialogue is trite and for most of the film the tempo is depressingly perambulatory" but praised the "camera's mobility and many a good character sketch by" the actors.[14]
The Sunday Times wrote: "Has both charm and talent".[15]
Kine Weekly said "Fresh, uninhibited and disarmingly ingenuous regional romantic drama. The acting of the young players and the "locals" is eager, and the backgrounds are both picturesque and authentic.Its integrity and sincerity amply atone for a somewhat untidy script. Essentially English, good humoured and thrilling, it should please on most double bills."[16]
References
edit- ^ a b c 'Ha' penny Breeze' is an £8,000 weather gamble Author: Ronald Downing Date: Saturday, Oct. 15, 1949 p 5 Publication: Daily Mail (London, England)
- ^ "FORMER TASMANIAN IN NEW FILM COMPANY". The Mercury. Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 26 November 1949. p. 12. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Disorderly Conduct". Kalgoorlie Miner. Vol. 56, no. 15, 793. Western Australia. 17 October 1950. p. 2. Retrieved 28 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Ha'penny Breeze". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (27 July 2019). "Unsung Aussie Filmmakers: Don Sharp – A Top 25". Filmink.
- ^ "Cage Me A Peacock". Old Theatre Programmes.
- ^ "Better Incidental Music for NEW FILMS". The Mercury. Hobart, Tas.: National Library of Australia. 30 July 1949. p. 10. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
- ^ "Raised wind for Ha'penny Breeze". Lincolnshire Echo. 7 November 1950. p. 4.
- ^ "AUSSIES' "HOME-MADE MASTERPIECE"". The Sunday Herald. Sydney: National Library of Australia. 17 December 1950. p. 4 Supplement: Sunday Herald Features. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Australians in brave film bid". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 16 December 1950. p. 49. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ Sharp, Don (2 November 1993). "Don Sharp Side 2" (Interview). Interviewed by Teddy Darvas and Alan Lawson. London: History Project. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ "Fame—but no funds". The Mail. Adelaide: National Library of Australia. 4 November 1950. p. 27. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
- ^ "Ha'penny Breeze". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 17 (193): 188. 1 January 1950 – via ProQuest.
- ^ "HA'PENNY BREEZE": New British Productions The Scotsman (1921-1950) [Edinburgh, Scotland] 30 Dec 1950: 7.
- ^ Powell, Dilys. "Heroinanity." Sunday Times [London, England] 7 Jan. 1951: 2. The Sunday Times Digital Archive. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
- ^ "Ha'penny Breeze". Kine Weekly. 404 (2263): 30. 5 October 1950 – via ProQuest.