| As Long as They're Happy | |
| Producer: | Raymond Stross |
| Director: | J. Lee Thompson |
| Based On: | As Long as They're Happy by Vernon Sylvaine |
| Starring: | Jack Buchanan Janette Scott Jeannie Carson Diana Dors |
| Music: | Stanley Black |
| Cinematography: | Gilbert Taylor |
| Editing: | John D. Guthridge |
| Studio: | Group Film Productions |
| Distributor: | General Film Distributors |
| Runtime: | 91 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
As Long as They're Happy is a 1955 British musical comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Jack Buchanan, Susan Stephen and Diana Dors.[1] It is based on the 1953 play of the same name by Vernon Sylvaine. It was shot in Eastmancolor at Pinewood Studios near London with sets designed by the art director Michael Stringer.
US singer Bobby Denver, known as the "Crying Crooner" (a la Johnnie Ray) stays with a stockbroker's family by mistake when he comes to England. The stockbroker has three very pretty daughtersb with the youngest Gwen madly in love with him so much she wants to marry him. Eventually, the stodgy stockbroker deals with his wife and daughter as well as his maid Linda, who keeps fainting every time Bobby sings.[2]
The film was based on the comedy play by the British writer Vernon Sylvaine which was first staged in 1953 starring Jack Buchanan. It ran at the Garrick Theatre in the West End for 370 performances until May 1954. In April 1954 it was announced that Buchanan would appear in the film version; it would be his first starring role in a movie in 14 years.[3] In August it was announced Jeanne Carson would co star.[4]
It was Diana Dors second film for J. Lee Thompson.[5] She was offered the lead but was unable to do it but agreed to play a guest part at £200 a day.[6]
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "This film version of the stage farce has been considerably expanded to accommodate the talents of numerous performers not foreseen by the original play. The result is a sprawling series of "big" scenes, few of which come off. The basic joke (at the expense of American sob-singers), too, has lost much of its edge, and is scarcely in itself sufficient to carry a film of this length. Of the players, Jack Buchanan glides through the whole thing with an assured charm, and Jerry Wayne is capable as the singer. The rest contend somewhat ineffectively with a script deficient in humour, although Diana Dors handsomely brings off one of her familiar roles as a sexy blonde."[7]
Variety called it "a hearty and good-hearted romp, without much attention to storyline."[8]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "This moderately amusing all-British comedy, with some music, was inspired by the 1950s craze for sob singer Johnnie Ray. The plot has an American crying crooner ... causing havoc in an English family with whom he stays. Jack Buchanan plays the unamused head of the household and the father of three daughters ... obsessed with the visitor."[9]
British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "Fractic farce extended from a stage satire of the Johnnie Ray cult; a patchy but sometimes funny star vehicle."[10]
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "good", writing: "Good-natured semi-musical romp in good colour, with lots of middle-sized laughs."[11]