Belles of St. Trinians

UPC: 018619110553

Summary: Belles of St. Trinian's was the first of several British comedies inspired by the fear-inspiring girl's school created by cartoonist Ronald Searle. The girls of St. Trinian's aim their deviltry at a gang of crooks who plan to steal a famous race horse. Alastair Sim wraps up the proceedings with his dual portrayal of the school's severe headmistress (!) and her bookmaking twin brother. Also worth watching is veteran supporting player George Cole, who makes a tidy profit on the alcoholic beverages produced in the girls' science lab, and toothy Joyce Grenfell as a diligent lady constable. Like most of the subsequent "St. Trinian's" farces, Belles of St. Trinian's was a joint effort of the producer/director/writer team of Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Category: Comedy

Belles of St. Trinians

Release Date: 01/01/1899

Craig Butler

Ronald Searle's cartoons featuring the devilish girls of St. Trinian's School have some of the same ghoulish humor that marked the best work of American cartoonist Charles Addams. The Belles of St. Trinian's fudges that sense of ghoulishness somewhat, both by concentrating more on the characters played by Alastair Sim and by seeming afraid to go far enough in displaying the blackness of the girls' hearts. As a result, the film is less satisfying and less distinctive than it should have been. Having said that, however, it is still a very amusing and diverting afternoon's entertainment. And while focusing on Sim robs the film of some of its impact, it does allow the audience to be entertained by one of the British cinema's most delightful character actors. Sim's headmistress is a wonderful comic creation; she is sly, crafty and selfish but would be genuinely appalled were she ever to think such adjectives were being applied to her. There's an innocence to her which is appealing, and contrasts neatly with the oiliness of her brother (also played by Sim). While the screenplay doesn't provide Sim with first rate material, he makes the absolute most of what he is given. He is ably supported by the dependable Joyce Grenfell, and the rest of the large cast fills their parts most capably. Belles was followed by a number of sequels. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Vivienne Martin  Actor 
Sidney James  Actor 
Barbara Windsor  Actor 
Arthur Howard  Actor 
Malcolm Arnold  Composer (Music Score) 
Sidney Gilliat  Producer 
Sidney Gilliat  Screenwriter 
Frank Launder  Director 
Frank Launder  Producer 
Frank Launder  Screenwriter 
Val Valentine  Screenwriter 
Alastair Sim  Actor 
Joyce Grenfell  Actor 
George Cole  Actor 
Hermione Baddeley  Actor 
Betty Ann Davies  Actor 
Renee Houston  Actor 
Beryl Reid  Actor 
Irene Handl  Actor 
Mary Merrall  Actor 
Joan Sims  Actor 
Balbina  Actor 
Jane Henderson  Actor 
Diana Day  Actor 
Pauline Drewett  Actor 
Lloyd Lamble  Actor 
Richard Wattis  Actor 
Guy Middleton  Actor 
Eric Pohlmann  Actor 

Country: UK