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→Plot: It wasn't clear that Vic Partridge is married. Original text claimed Vic was living with his secretary. He was living with his wife and visiting Nina.
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{{short description|1960 film}}
{{Short description|1960 British film by Peter Graham Scott}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name = The Big Day
| name = The Big Day
| image =
| image = The_Big_Day_lobby_card_1960.jpg
⚫
| caption = Lobby card
| image_size =
⚫
| caption =
| director = [[Peter Graham Scott]]
| director = [[Peter Graham Scott]]
| producer = [[Arthur Alcott]] <br /> [[Julian Wintle]]
| producer = [[Arthur Alcott]] <br /> [[Julian Wintle]]
Line 19: Line 18:
| country = United Kingdom
| country = United Kingdom
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = [[English language|English]]
| budget =£22,300<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/114988/1/Bryanston_Films_An_Experiment_in_Cooperative_Independent_Film_Production_and_Distribution.pdf|last=Petrie|first= Duncan James |year=2017|title= Bryanston Films : An Experiment in Cooperative Independent Production and Distribution|journal= Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television| issn= 1465-3451|page=7 }}</ref>
| budget =£22,300<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/114988/1/Bryanston_Films_An_Experiment_in_Cooperative_Independent_Film_Production_and_Distribution.pdf|last=Petrie|first= Duncan James |year=2017|title= Bryanston Films: An Experiment in Cooperative Independent Production and Distribution|journal= Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television| issn= 1465-3451|page=7}}</ref>
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''''The Big Day''''' is a 1960 black and white British [[drama film]] directed by [[Peter Graham Scott]] and starring [[Donald Pleasence]], [[Andrée Melly]] and [[Colin Gordon]].<ref>Chibnall & McFarlane p.253</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b6a50fa20|title=The Big Day (1960)|website=BFI}}</ref> The big day approaches when a business boss must choose between three prospective candidates for a job.
'''''The Big Day''''' is a 1960 black and white British [[B movie|"B"]]<ref name="Chibnall">{{Cite book |last=Chibnall |first=Steve |title=The British 'B' Film |last2=McFarlane |first2=Brian |publisher=[[BFI]]/[[Bloomsbury Publishing|Bloomsbury]] |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-8445-7319-6 |location=London |pages=253}}</ref> [[drama film]] directed by [[Peter Graham Scott]] and starring [[Donald Pleasence]], [[Harry H. Corbett]], [[Andrée Melly]] and [[Colin Gordon]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Big Day |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/150027039 |access-date=8 November 2023 |website=British Film Institute Collections Search}}</ref> It was written by [[Bill MacIlwraith]] and produced by Arthur Alcott and [[Julian Wintle]] for [[Independent Artists (company)|Independent Artists]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Company boss George Baker is seeking to appoint a new director. Three employees are candidates: Accounts Manager Victor Partridge, Transport Manager Harry Jackson and Sales Manager Mr Selkirk.


Partridge is married and having an affair with his young secretary Nina. The affair is leaked to the boss to ruin his chances of promotion. Jackson has been filing fake driver records and this too is exposed. Selkirk seems the likely choice for the directorship but Baker considers him too ruthless.
Married 42 year old Victor Partridge is having an assignation with Nina, his 19 year old secretary. He discusses his desire for promotion.


⚫
In a surprise move, Partridge is appointed, who Baker considers reliably dull. But Partridge finds his new job a poisoned chalice. Baker has ordered him to sack Nina, and he realises he must work much harder for little more than his name on the company notepaper.
In the pub Harry Jackson discusses his wife's relationship to his boss, and also seeks promotion.

At interview, Partridge, Jackson and Selkirk all vie for the sole position. The boss Mr Baker has to choose.

Partridge, despite looking very mild-mannered, has a wife as well as a girlfriend! He is the company accountant, but the affair is leaked to the boss to ruin his chances of promotion. Jackson (who is Transport Manager) has been filing fake driver records and this is exposed to also ruin his hopes.

Selkirk, the Sales Manager, seems the likely choice for the directorship in these circumstances. However, Baker calls him in to explain why he is not gettin the post... he is too ruthless.

Surprisingly Partridge is given the job... Baker explains he is reliably dull, but insists that his secretary must go.

⚫
Partridge in the new job finds it is a poisoned chalice, as he must work much harder for little more than his name on the company notepaper.


==Cast==
==Cast==
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* [[William Franklyn]] as Mr. T. Selkirk
* [[William Franklyn]] as Mr. T. Selkirk
* [[Susan Shaw]] as Phyllis Selkirk
* [[Susan Shaw]] as Phyllis Selkirk
* [[Molly Urquhart]] as Mrs. Deeping - Baker's secretary
* [[Molly Urquhart]] as Mrs. Deeping
* [[Betty Marsden]] as Mabel Jackson
* [[Betty Marsden]] as Mabel Jackson
* Freda Bamford as Betty Partridge
* Freda Bamford as Betty Partridge
* [[Marianne Stone]] as Madge Delaney, Selkirk's secretary
* [[Marianne Stone]] as Madge Delaney
* [[Roddy McMillan]] as Bob
* [[Roddy McMillan]] as Bob
* [[Timothy Bateson]] as Clerk
* [[Timothy Bateson]] as clerk
* [[Anthony Bate]] as Driver
* [[Anthony Bate]] as driver
* [[Sabina Franklyn]] as baby (uncredited) - (daughter of William Franklyn)
* [[Sabina Franklyn]] as baby (uncredited, daughter of William Franklyn)
* Derek Briggs as Mechanic
* Derek Briggs as mechanic


==References==
== Reception ==
''[[The Monthly Film Bulletin]]'' wrote: "Bitterly real and with an outstanding performance by Donald Pleasence, together with one or two sardonically characterised supporting roles, this Bryanston picture achieves something most distinctive in the realm of British second feature production. The idea is simple, but Macllwraith's tight and sinewy screenplay heightens into a serious exposé of manners and morals ay confines of a closed little society. Effectively handled in every department, directed with punch by Peter Graham Scott, the film is particularly memorable for the mockery and irony of its ending."<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1 January 1960 |title=The Big Day |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1305823041/F56D2DEA0F704741PQ/1 |journal=[[The Monthly Film Bulletin]] |volume=27 |issue=312 |pages=110 |via=ProQuest}}</ref>
<references/>


''[[Kine Weekly]]'' wrote: "Business drama, containing a subtle feminine interest. The hand-picked cast and resourceful director spin the tough, yet pliable, threads into holding and compact screen fare. Very good British "support".&nbsp;... Closely knit tale, popular team, skilful treatment, sharp dialogue, handy footage and quota ticket".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=14 July 1960 |title=The Big Day |journal=[[Kine Weekly]] |volume=518 |issue=2574 |pages=32}}</ref>
==Bibliography==

* Chibnall, Steve & McFarlane, Brian. ''The British 'B' Film''. Palgrave MacMillan, 2009.
''[[Picture Show (magazine)|Picture Show]]'' wrote: "Tight, tense little drama&nbsp;... it's brilliantly acted, particularly by Donald Pleasence. There's no one who can play a nervous, small-minded man better than he. Excellent supporting feature.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=10 September 1960 |year= |title=The Big Day |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1880299606/62714778A48649B9PQ/ |journal=[[Picture Show (magazine)|Picture Show]] |volume= |issue= |pages=12 |via=ProQuest}}</ref>

''[[The Irish Times]]'' described the film as "a prime example of how one can make a good film on a small budget.&nbsp;... It has no heroes and no happy ending but it holds the interest throughout and is well acted from start to finish. It can be recommended to anyone who is tired of the old trite situations and triter dialogue."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Linehan |first=Fergus |date=24 July 1961 |title=Seeing Double |journal=[[The Irish Times]]}}</ref>

Chibnall & McFarlane write in ''The British 'B' Film'' that the film "opens on a moment of erotic intensity unusual at ''any'' level of British film-making at the time".{{r|Chibnall|p=198}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
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[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
[[Category:1960s English-language films]]
[[Category:1960s British films]]
[[Category:1960s British films]]


{{1960s-UK-film-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:23, 30 October 2024

The Big Day
Lobby card
Directed byPeter Graham Scott
Written byBill MacIlwraith
Produced byArthur Alcott
Julian Wintle
StarringDonald Pleasence
Andrée Melly
Colin Gordon
CinematographyMichael Reed
Edited byPeter Taylor
Music byClifton Parker
Production
company
Distributed byBryanston Films (UK)
Release date
  • July 1960 (1960-07) (UK)
Running time
55 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget£22,300[1]

The Big Day is a 1960 black and white British "B"[2] drama film directed by Peter Graham Scott and starring Donald Pleasence, Harry H. Corbett, Andrée Melly and Colin Gordon.[3] It was written by Bill MacIlwraith and produced by Arthur Alcott and Julian Wintle for Independent Artists.

Plot

[edit]

Company boss George Baker is seeking to appoint a new director. Three employees are candidates: Accounts Manager Victor Partridge, Transport Manager Harry Jackson and Sales Manager Mr Selkirk.

Partridge is married and having an affair with his young secretary Nina. The affair is leaked to the boss to ruin his chances of promotion. Jackson has been filing fake driver records and this too is exposed. Selkirk seems the likely choice for the directorship but Baker considers him too ruthless.

In a surprise move, Partridge is appointed, who Baker considers reliably dull. But Partridge finds his new job a poisoned chalice. Baker has ordered him to sack Nina, and he realises he must work much harder for little more than his name on the company notepaper.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Bitterly real and with an outstanding performance by Donald Pleasence, together with one or two sardonically characterised supporting roles, this Bryanston picture achieves something most distinctive in the realm of British second feature production. The idea is simple, but Macllwraith's tight and sinewy screenplay heightens into a serious exposé of manners and morals ay confines of a closed little society. Effectively handled in every department, directed with punch by Peter Graham Scott, the film is particularly memorable for the mockery and irony of its ending."[4]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Business drama, containing a subtle feminine interest. The hand-picked cast and resourceful director spin the tough, yet pliable, threads into holding and compact screen fare. Very good British "support". ... Closely knit tale, popular team, skilful treatment, sharp dialogue, handy footage and quota ticket".[5]

Picture Show wrote: "Tight, tense little drama ... it's brilliantly acted, particularly by Donald Pleasence. There's no one who can play a nervous, small-minded man better than he. Excellent supporting feature.[6]

The Irish Times described the film as "a prime example of how one can make a good film on a small budget. ... It has no heroes and no happy ending but it holds the interest throughout and is well acted from start to finish. It can be recommended to anyone who is tired of the old trite situations and triter dialogue."[7]

Chibnall & McFarlane write in The British 'B' Film that the film "opens on a moment of erotic intensity unusual at any level of British film-making at the time".[2]: 198 

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Petrie, Duncan James (2017). "Bryanston Films: An Experiment in Cooperative Independent Production and Distribution" (PDF). Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television: 7. ISSN 1465-3451.
  2. ^ a b Chibnall, Steve; McFarlane, Brian (2009). The British 'B' Film. London: BFI/Bloomsbury. p. 253. ISBN 978-1-8445-7319-6.
  3. ^ "The Big Day". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  4. ^ "The Big Day". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 27 (312): 110. 1 January 1960 – via ProQuest.
  5. ^ "The Big Day". Kine Weekly. 518 (2574): 32. 14 July 1960.
  6. ^ "The Big Day". Picture Show: 12. 10 September 1960 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ Linehan, Fergus (24 July 1961). "Seeing Double". The Irish Times.
[edit]
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