No Smoking (1955 film)
No Smoking is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Henry Cass and starring Reg Dixon, Peter Martyn, Belinda Lee and Lionel Jeffries.[2][3][4] It was produced by Tempean Films as a second feature. The film was shot at Southall Studios with sets designed by the art director Wilfred Arnold. Shortly after the production Lee was signed up for a contract with the Rank Organisation.
| No Smoking | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) | |
| Directed by | Henry Cass |
| Screenplay by | Kenneth Hayles Phil Park |
| Based on | No Smoking by George Moresby-White and Rex Rienits[1] |
| Produced by | Robert S. Baker Monty Berman |
| Starring | Reg Dixon Peter Martyn Belinda Lee Lionel Jeffries |
| Cinematography | Monty Berman |
| Edited by | Jack Slade |
| Music by | Ivor Slaney |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Eros Films |
Release date | November 1955 |
Running time | 66 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
Reg Bates is a scientist who invents a pill that can cure smokers of their nicotine addiction. This is revealed by a visiting American, Hal Hurst. Bates faces strong opposition from both the tobacco industry and the government.
Cast
- Reg Dixon as Reg Bates
- Peter Martyn as Hal Hurst
- Belinda Lee as Miss Tonkins
- Ruth Trouncer as Joyce
- Alexander Gauge as Wellington-Simpson
- Lionel Jeffries as George Pogson
- Myrtle Rowe as Milly
- Arthur Young as Joe Dawson
- Hal Osmond as Yokel
- Tom Gill as Foreign Office Official
- Ronnie Stevens as BBC Man
- Alan Robinson as Thackery
- Bill Lowe as Civil Servant
- Doris Hare as Customer
- Ian Fleming as Doctor Moxom
- Patrick Jordan as Reporter
- Alan Gifford as American Ambassador
- Roger Maxwell as Major
- Scott Harrold as Man in Surgery
- Jan Holden as Receptionist
- Phil Park as Vicar
- James Raglan as Chancellor
Production
It was based on a 1952 TV play.[5] One review said it had "plenty of good family fun."[6]
It was made at Alliance Studios, Southall. It was one of only a few movies starring Reg Dixon.[7] It was one of several comedies featuring Belinda Lee.[8]
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin said "the action does not fizz; the bubbles never quite come to the surface."[9]
References
- Goble, Alan (8 September 2011). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 9783110951943 – via Google Books.
- "No Smoking - Film". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
- "No Smoking (1955)". BFI. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019.
- NO SMOKING (Tempean-Eros) Picture Show; London Vol. 61, Iss. 1707, (Dec 17, 1955): 10.
- 1952 TV play at IMDb
- Specially Written TV Play is Effective Author: J. Stubbs Walker Date: Monday, Mar. 17, 1952 Publication: Daily Mail (London, England) Issue: 17415 p2
- BACKBEAT: 1950: Confidentially - it's our Reg ; BECAUSE THEY DON'T MAKE MUSIC LIKE THEY USED TO!: [First Edition] Chambers, Peter. Coventry Evening Telegraph; Coventry [Coventry]25 Jan 2005: 16, 17.
- Vagg, Stephen (7 September 2020). "A Tale of Two Blondes: Diana Dors and Belinda Lee". Filmink.
- NO SMOKING Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 22, Iss. 252, (Jan 1, 1955): 181.
External links
- No Smoking at IMDb
- No Smoking at BFI
- No Smoking at Reel Streets
- No Smoking at Letterbox DVD