| My Wife's Family | |
| Director: | Gilbert Gunn |
| Producer: | Hamilton G. Inglis |
| Based On: | My Wife's Family by Fred Duprez |
| Starring: | Ronald Shiner Ted Ray Greta Gynt Robertson Hare |
| Music: | Ray Martin |
| Cinematography: | Gilbert Taylor |
| Editing: | Edward B. Jarvis |
| Studio: | Forth Films |
| Distributor: | Associated British-Pathé (UK) |
| Runtime: | 76 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
My Wife's Family is a 1956 British comedy film directed by Gilbert Gunn and starring Ronald Shiner, Ted Ray, Greta Gynt, Diane Hart and Robertson Hare.[1] [2] It was written by Gunn and Talbot Rothwell.
Jack Gay, a newlywed with a dominating mother-in-law attempts to surprise his wife Stella with a baby grand piano, but when she overhears him discussing it, she mistakes it for an illegitimate child, particularly with the arrival of his ex-girlfriend, the blonde and glamorous Gloria Marsh.[3]
It was a remake of the 1941 British film My Wife's Family,[4] and is the third British film of the stage farce of the same name by actor Fred Duprez.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A further adaptation of the slapstick comedy by Fred Duprez (previously filmed in 1931 and 1941), this new production, in colour, serves as a vehicle for two comedians with agreeably contrasting personalities. Ronald Shiner as Doc Knott gives a robust display of over-confidence, while Ted Ray successfully suggests the harassed Jack. But their determined efforts are largely defeated by the lack of originality in both dialogue and situations. Of the supporting players, Fabia Drake makes an imposing Arabella and Robertson Hare gives his customary caricature of the hen-pecked husband."[5]
TV Guide wrote, "The third screen version of Fred Duprez's play proves once and for all there's no hope of reviving the dead... Overplayed without shame, but that doesn't help the ancient jokes any."[6]
Sky Movies noted a "broad comedy, with Ronald Shiner and Ted Ray extracting the maximum number of laughs out of the mother-in-law-coming-to-stay situation. Fabia Drake gives a sharply-observed portrait of the old battleaxe."[7]