Rattle of a Simple Man

Rattle of a Simple Man
Directed by	Muriel Box
Produced by	William J. Gell
Written by	Charles Dyer
Starring	Diane Cilento Harry H. Corbett Michael Medwin Thora Hird
Music by	Stanley Black
Cinematography	Reginald H. Wyer
Edited by	Frederick Wilson
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
Language	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. The screenplay concerns a naive man who becomes involved with a prostitute.

After travelling to London from Manchester with a group of friends to watch the FA Cup final, a night out on the town and a bet lead a naive man to become involved with a prostitute.

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

The film was not a success at the box office.

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"; 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."