| The Water Gipsies | |
| Author: | A. P. Herbert |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Comedy/Romance |
| Publisher: | Methuen (UK) Grosset & Dunlap (US) |
| Release Date: | 1930 |
| Media Type: | |
The Water Gipsies is a romantic comedy novel by British writer A. P. Herbert first published in 1930. It portrays the adventures of Jane Bell and her sister Lily, who operate a barge along England's rivers and canals. Jane enjoys several romantic entanglements during the story.
The novel is Herbert's best-known work, and reflected his lifelong love of British waterways.[1] He lived in Hammersmith Terrace, and a thinly disguised version of The Dove pub appears as The Pigeons.[2]
See main article: article and The Water Gipsies (film). In 1932 the novel was made into a film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Ann Todd as Jane Bell.[3] It was the last film made by Associated Talking Pictures at Beaconsfield Studios before relocating to Ealing.
In 1955 Herbert collaborated with Vivian Ellis to produce a stage musical of the film. The cast included Dora Bryan, Doris Hare and Jerry Verno. It was a success, running for 239 performances.[4]