Folly to Be Wise
| Folly to Be Wise | |
|---|---|
|
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| Directed by | Frank Launder |
| Produced by | Sidney Gilliat |
| Written by |
James Bridie (play) John Dighton Frank Launder |
| Starring |
Alastair Sim Elizabeth Allan Ronald Culver Edward Chapman Martita Hunt |
| Music by | Temple Abady |
| Cinematography | Jack Hildyard |
| Edited by | Thelma Connell |
| Distributed by | British Lion Film Corporation |
|
Release date
|
19 January 1953 |
|
Running time
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91 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Folly to Be Wise is a 1953 British comedy film directed by Frank Launder and starring Alastair Sim, Elizabeth Allan, Roland Culver, Colin Gordon, Martita Hunt and Edward Chapman. It is based on the play It Depends What You Mean by James Bridie. The film follows the efforts of a British Army Chaplain attempting to recruit entertainment acts to perform for the troops and the complications that ensue when he does. The title is taken from the line by Thomas Gray "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise".
Having recently taken over the role of entertainments officer at an army camp the Padre Captain William Paris is disheartened so few of the troops turn out for an evening of classical music. He visits a local pub and finds the place packed with soldiers, including his own driver. He then resolves to try and secure something more entertaining for the troops and comes up with the idea of bringing in a Brain Trust to answer questions from the audience.
With the help of Lady Dodds, the Captain manages to gather together a group of local notables, who all swiftly prove to be mildly eccentric. The group includes the opinionated Professor Mutch, who is a popular radio personality with the BBC, and his friend the oil painter George Prout and his wife Angela. While arriving at their house, the Captain interrupts Mutch and Mrs Prout who are about to embrace. Upon meeting Mr Prout he soon finds him a cold man who verbally abuses his wife. The Trust is rounded out by the wandering Doctor McAdam and the chippy local Labour MP Joseph Byres.
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Wikipedia