The Belles of St Trinian's
Encyclopedia
The Belles of St Trinian's is a comedy film
set in the fictional St Trinian's School
, released in 1954. It and its sequels were inspired by British cartoonist Ronald Searle
. Directed by Frank Launder
and written by him and Sidney Gilliat
, it was the first of a series of five. Alastair Sim
stars in a dual role.
opens at St Trinian's School for Young Ladies, striking terror into the local residents and police. Headmistress Millicent Fritton (Alastair Sim) has an unorthodox teaching philosophy, letting her students run wild.
The school is heavily in debt. The teachers have not been paid for months, but they stay on, as no other school would touch them. To add to her woes, Miss Fritton is blackmailed by her brother Clarence (also played by Sim) into admitting his daughter, Arabella. There is but one ray of hope: the wealthy, westernized Sultan of Makyad (Eric Pohlmann
) has decided to send one of his daughters, Fatima, to the school at the recommendation of his English secretary. Miss Fritton quickly takes charge of the girl's one hundred pounds
pocket money.
Appalled by the thought of another term of mayhem, Police Superintendent Kemp Bird (Lloyd Lamble
) goes to see Ministry of Education
official Manton Bassett (Richard Wattis
), but he wants nothing to do with the school. Sometime in the past, Bassett sent his best inspector to investigate; when he did not return, Bassett despatched another, only to have the same thing happen. Bird decides to plant an undercover officer, his girlfriend Sergeant Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell
), as the school's new games mistress. She uncovers all sorts of illegal and dangerous activities, including a gin still in the chemistry laboratory
. Flash Harry (George Cole), a former school employee, handles the sale of the bootleg gin, as well as the girls' sports bets.
When the students discover that the Sultan's racehorse, "Arab Boy", is entered the upcoming Gold Cup race, they use Fatima's influence to watch the horse work out. Impressed by what they see, the Fourth Formers bet on Arab Boy to win. When Miss Fritton learns of it, she also reluctantly bets the school's remaining funds on the horse to save her beloved St. Trinian's.
Her brother, however, has bet a very large sum on another horse. His daughter tells him about Arab Boy's performance, then suggests she and her Sixth Form cohorts kidnap the horse. Clarence resists the idea, but in the end has no choice but to agree. The Fourth Form find out and steal the horse from the thieves, hiding Arab Boy at the school. The situation pits the Sixth and Fourth Forms against each other in a wild mêlée
over the horse. Also getting embroiled are the school staff, visiting former pupils and Clarence's men. In the end, the horse makes it to the race just in time and wins, enabling the headmistress to get the school out of debt.
Ronald Searle appeared in a cameo role as a visiting parent. Roger Delgado
plays the Sultan's aide. It was also the first film appearance for a 17 year-old Barbara Windsor
.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
set in the fictional St Trinian's School
St Trinian's School
St Trinian's is a fictional girls' boarding school, the creation of English cartoonist Ronald Searle, that later became the subject of a popular series of comedy films....
, released in 1954. It and its sequels were inspired by British cartoonist Ronald Searle
Ronald Searle
Ronald William Fordham Searle, CBE, RDI, is a British artist and cartoonist, best known as the creator of St Trinian's School. He is also the co-author of the Molesworth series....
. Directed by Frank Launder
Frank Launder
Frank Launder was an English writer, director and producer, who made more than 40 films, many of them in collaboration with Sidney Gilliat....
and written by him and Sidney Gilliat
Sidney Gilliat
Sidney Gilliat was an English film director, producer and writer.He was born in the district of Edgeley in Stockport, Cheshire. In the 1930s he worked as a scriptwriter, most notably with Frank Launder on The Lady Vanishes for Alfred Hitchcock, and its sequel Night Train to Munich , directed by...
, it was the first of a series of five. Alastair Sim
Alastair Sim
Alastair George Bell Sim, CBE was a Scottish character actor who appeared in a string of classic British films. He is best remembered in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 film Scrooge, and for his portrayal of Miss Fritton, the headmistress in two St. Trinian's films...
stars in a dual role.
Plot
A new termAcademic term
An academic term is a division of an academic year, the time during which a school, college or university holds classes. These divisions may be called terms...
opens at St Trinian's School for Young Ladies, striking terror into the local residents and police. Headmistress Millicent Fritton (Alastair Sim) has an unorthodox teaching philosophy, letting her students run wild.
The school is heavily in debt. The teachers have not been paid for months, but they stay on, as no other school would touch them. To add to her woes, Miss Fritton is blackmailed by her brother Clarence (also played by Sim) into admitting his daughter, Arabella. There is but one ray of hope: the wealthy, westernized Sultan of Makyad (Eric Pohlmann
Eric Pohlmann
Eric Pohlmann was an Austrian theatre, film and television character actor.Born Erich Pollak in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, he was a classically trained actor who studied under the renowned director Max Reinhardt...
) has decided to send one of his daughters, Fatima, to the school at the recommendation of his English secretary. Miss Fritton quickly takes charge of the girl's one hundred pounds
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
pocket money.
Appalled by the thought of another term of mayhem, Police Superintendent Kemp Bird (Lloyd Lamble
Lloyd Lamble
Lloyd Nelson Lamble was an Australian actor who worked in theatre, television, radio and film. He lived and worked two-thirds of his life in the United Kingdom .- Personal life :...
) goes to see Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education (United Kingdom)
The administration of education policy in the United Kingdom began in the 19th century. Official mandation of education began with the Elementary Education Act 1870 for England and Wales, and the Education Act 1872 for Scotland...
official Manton Bassett (Richard Wattis
Richard Wattis
Richard Cameron Wattis , was an English character actor.He attended King Edward's School, Birmingham and Bromsgrove School, after which he worked for the family electrical engineering firm before becoming a professional actor. After his debut with Croydon Repertory Theatre he made many stage...
), but he wants nothing to do with the school. Sometime in the past, Bassett sent his best inspector to investigate; when he did not return, Bassett despatched another, only to have the same thing happen. Bird decides to plant an undercover officer, his girlfriend Sergeant Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell
Joyce Grenfell
Joyce Irene Grenfell, OBE was an English actress, comedienne, diseuse and singer-songwriter.-Early life:...
), as the school's new games mistress. She uncovers all sorts of illegal and dangerous activities, including a gin still in the chemistry laboratory
Laboratory
A laboratory is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments, and measurement may be performed. The title of laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories...
. Flash Harry (George Cole), a former school employee, handles the sale of the bootleg gin, as well as the girls' sports bets.
When the students discover that the Sultan's racehorse, "Arab Boy", is entered the upcoming Gold Cup race, they use Fatima's influence to watch the horse work out. Impressed by what they see, the Fourth Formers bet on Arab Boy to win. When Miss Fritton learns of it, she also reluctantly bets the school's remaining funds on the horse to save her beloved St. Trinian's.
Her brother, however, has bet a very large sum on another horse. His daughter tells him about Arab Boy's performance, then suggests she and her Sixth Form cohorts kidnap the horse. Clarence resists the idea, but in the end has no choice but to agree. The Fourth Form find out and steal the horse from the thieves, hiding Arab Boy at the school. The situation pits the Sixth and Fourth Forms against each other in a wild mêlée
Mêlée
Melee , generally refers to disorganized close combat involving a group of fighters. A melee ensues when groups become locked together in combat with no regard to group tactics or fighting as an organized unit; each participant fights as an individual....
over the horse. Also getting embroiled are the school staff, visiting former pupils and Clarence's men. In the end, the horse makes it to the race just in time and wins, enabling the headmistress to get the school out of debt.
Cast
- Alastair SimAlastair SimAlastair George Bell Sim, CBE was a Scottish character actor who appeared in a string of classic British films. He is best remembered in the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1951 film Scrooge, and for his portrayal of Miss Fritton, the headmistress in two St. Trinian's films...
as Headmistress Millicent Fritton / Clarence Fritton - Joyce GrenfellJoyce GrenfellJoyce Irene Grenfell, OBE was an English actress, comedienne, diseuse and singer-songwriter.-Early life:...
as Sergeant Ruby Gates - George Cole as Flash HarryFlash Harry (St Trinian's)Henry Cuthbert Edwards aka Flash Harry is a fictional character from the St. Trinian's series of films who first appears in the 1954 The Belles of St Trinian's. The term refers to "an ostentatious, loudly-dressed, and usually ill-mannered man", who may also be a spiv...
- Hermione BaddeleyHermione BaddeleyHermione Baddeley was an English character actress of theatre, film and television. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Room at the Top and a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here...
as Miss Drownder - Betty Ann DaviesBetty Ann Davies-Selected filmography:* My Old Duchess * Death at Broadcasting House * Mountains O'Mourne * It Always Rains on Sunday * Escape * The Passionate Friends * Grand National Night...
as Miss Waters - Renee HoustonRenee HoustonRenée Houston was a Scottish comedy actor and revue artist who appeared in television and film roles.Born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, as Katherina Houston Gibbin, she toured music halls and revue with her sister Billie Houston as the Houston Sisters.In 1926, the sisters made a short musical film,...
as Miss Brimmer - Beryl ReidBeryl ReidBeryl Elizabeth Reid, OBE was a British actress of stage and screen.-Early life:Born in Hereford, England in 1919, Reid was the daughter of Scottish parents and grew up in Manchester where she attended Withington and Levenshulme High Schools.-Career:Reid applied for and was accepted in a revue in...
as Miss Wilson - Irene HandlIrene Handl-Life:Irene Handl was born in Maida Vale, London, the daughter of an Austrian banker father and French mother. She took to acting at the relatively advanced age of 36, and studied at the acting school run by the sister of Dame Sybil Thorndike...
as Miss Gale - Mary MerrallMary MerrallMary Merrall , born Elsie Lloyd, was an English actress whose career of over 60 years encompassed stage, film and television work.-Stage career:...
as Miss Buckland - Joan SimsJoan SimsJoan Sims was an English actress best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, and latterly for playing Madge Hardcastle in As Time Goes By.-Early life:...
as Miss Dawn - Balbina as Mlle de St. Emilion
- Jane Henderson as Miss Holland
- Diana Day as Jackie
- Jill Braidwood as Florrie
- Annabelle Covey as Maudie
- Pauline Drewett as Celia
- Jean Langston as Rosie
- Lloyd LambleLloyd LambleLloyd Nelson Lamble was an Australian actor who worked in theatre, television, radio and film. He lived and worked two-thirds of his life in the United Kingdom .- Personal life :...
as Superintendent Kemp Bird, boyfriend of Ruby Gates - Richard WattisRichard WattisRichard Cameron Wattis , was an English character actor.He attended King Edward's School, Birmingham and Bromsgrove School, after which he worked for the family electrical engineering firm before becoming a professional actor. After his debut with Croydon Repertory Theatre he made many stage...
as Manton Bassett, civil servant in the Ministry of Education - Guy MiddletonGuy MiddletonGuy Middleton Powell, usually credited as Guy Middleton, was an English film character actor.Middleton was born in Hove, England and originally worked in the London Stock Exchange, before turning to acting in the 1930s...
as Eric Rowbottom-Smith, a ministry inspector, now a teacher at the school - Arthur HowardArthur HowardFor other people with this name, see Arthur Howard Arthur Howard was an English film and television actor.-Life and career:...
as Wilfred Woodley, another ministry inspector, also now a teacher - Michael RipperMichael RipperMichael Ripper was an English character actor born in Portsmouth.He began his film career in quota quickies in the 1930s and until the late 1950s was virtually unknown; he was seldom credited. He played one of the two murderers in Richard III. Ripper became a mainstay in Hammer Film Productions...
as Albert Faning - Eric PohlmannEric PohlmannEric Pohlmann was an Austrian theatre, film and television character actor.Born Erich Pollak in Vienna, Austria-Hungary, he was a classically trained actor who studied under the renowned director Max Reinhardt...
as The Sultan of Makyad - Sid JamesSid JamesSid James was an English-based South African actor and comedian. He made his name as Tony Hancock's co-star in Hancock's Half Hour and also starred in the popular Carry On films. He was known for his trademark "dirty laugh" and lascivious persona...
as Benny, one of Clarence Fritton's racing associates - Martin Walker as Hankinson
- Noel Hood as Bilston School Mistress
- Vivienne Martin as Arabella
- Elizabeth Griffiths as Gladys
- Andrée MellyAndrée MellyAndrée Melly is an English actress.She appeared in many British films, including the 1954 comedy The Belles of St Trinian's and the 1960 Hammer Horror film The Brides of Dracula...
as Lucretia - Belinda LeeBelinda LeeBelinda Lee was an English actress.Born in Budleigh Salterton, England, Lee was signed to a film contract in 1954 by the Rank Studios after being seen performing as a student of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art...
as Amanda - Michael Kelly as Bill
- Tommy DugganTommy Duggan (actor)Tommy Duggan was an Irish actor who contributed to British television and film from the 1940s to the 1990s. Film appearances include supporting roles in Dangerous Moonlight , Thunder Rock , A Matter of Life and Death , The Elusive Pimpernel , The Belles of St Trinian's , Gorgo , The Omen...
as Joe - Paul Connell as Sam
- Lorna Henderson as Fatima
- Vivien Wood as Miss Anderson (as Vivienne Wood)
- Cara Stevens as Sultan's Secretary
- Jerry VernoJerry VernoJerry Verno was a British film actor. He appeared in 39 films between 1931 and 1966, including five films directed by Michael Powell.He was born in London.-Selected filmography:* Two Crowded Hours...
as Alf, the bookmaker - Jack DoyleJack DoyleJack Doyle , known as "The Gorgeous Gael" was at one time or another a contender for the British Boxing Championship, a Hollywood actor and an accomplished tenor.-Early years:...
as Assistant Trainer - Windsor Cottage as the Horse "Arab Boy"
Ronald Searle appeared in a cameo role as a visiting parent. Roger Delgado
Roger Delgado
Roger Caesar Marius Bernard de Delgado Torres Castillo Roberto was an English actor, best known for his role as the first Master in Doctor Who....
plays the Sultan's aide. It was also the first film appearance for a 17 year-old Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Ann Windsor, MBE , better known by her stage name Barbara Windsor, is an English actress. Her best known roles are in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders....
.