Hand in Hand

1961
Approved
1h 18m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

595

YOUR RATING

Drama Family

A little Roman Catholic boy and a little Jewish girl become best friends despite the prejudice that surrounds them.A little Roman Catholic boy and a little Jewish girl become best friends despite the prejudice that surrounds them.A little Roman Catholic boy and a little Jewish girl become best friends despite the prejudice that surrounds them.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

595

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 1 nomination

Trivia
Although filmed in England in the summer of 1960 under the title "The Star and The Cross", it was for some reason kept on the shelf and not released in the UK until April 7th, 1963, by which time the title had been changed to "Hand in Hand (1961)" and it went out on release on the ABC circuit as the supporting film to the Tony Hancock comedy "The Punch and Judy Man (1963)".

Goofs
When the children are on the river, the rope towing the rubber raft is visible at times.

Quotes
Michael O'Malley: What's the matter?
Rachel Mathias: It's Hector.
Michael O'Malley: Has he run away?
Rachel Mathias: He's dead. I looked in his cage this morning and he wouldn't wake up. Mummy said it was old age.
Michael O'Malley: Poor old Hector.
Rachel Mathias: I wrapped him in my best hankie.
Michael O'Malley: We'll have a proper funeral.
Rachel Mathias: Let's.
Michael O'Malley: We'll bury him just outside the door. I'll be the priest.
Rachel Mathias: But, but he's a Jewish mouse. He's mine.
Michael O'Malley: He's not.
Rachel Mathias: Yes, he is. You gave him to me.
Michael O'Malley: But he was mine first. So that makes him a Catholic.

Soundtracks
Now Is the Month of Maying
(uncredited)
Written by Thomas Morley
Performed by Loretta Parry with chorus
[Rachel sings the song with the school choir in front of the student body]

User reviews80

Review

Featured review

7/10

You've Got To Be Carefully Taught

I remember seeing this film in cinema back in the 60s and was finally glad of the chance to see it again for the first time in decades. It's a simple and profound film about two pre-pubescent children in the United Kingdom who become friends. The fact that the boy Philip Needs is Catholic and the girl Loretta Parry is Jewish makes no real difference until some of their peers around them tell them it makes a difference. Just like that Rodgers&Hammerstein song, You've Got To Be Carefully Taught.

Interesting that the cantor and priest characters played by Martin Lawrence and John Gregson have learned to respect each other's diversity. The kids learn that too just by simply being around each other.

I still love this film because Needs and Parry act like real kids instead of child actor celebrities. You don't they're acting at all, you think you're just watching from a window on their lives.

This film ought to be required viewing in grade school classes teaching tolerance, respect, and diversity. The message hasn't lessened any over the years.