THE IRON MAIDEN
UK, 1963, 98 minutes, Colour.
Michael Craig, Alan Hale Jr, Anne Helm, Jeff Donnell, Noel Purcell, Cecil Parker, Roland Culver, Joan Sims, John Standing, Sam Kydd, Judith Furse, Ronny Corbett, Jim Dale, George Woodbridge.
Directed by Gerald Thomas.
No, not a film about Mrs Thatcher, the Iron Lady!
This is a British film from 1963 which resembles in theme, many of the Ealing Studios comedies of the 1950s. While they had modern themes, many of them look back with some nostalgia to Britain of the past, for instance old trains in The Field Thunderbolt.
In fact, the Iron Made his traction engine from the early part of the 20th century. Devotees were preserving them, continually working on the mechanics, attending rallies, participating in races. Michael Craig is an enthusiast, continually working with his associate, Sam Kydd, in rivalry with an old Adml who travels with a somewhat simpering vicar. Needless to say, there is quite a competition at the end – and no prize for guessing who wins, despite a lot of obstructions.
But this is also a film of the 1960s, aeronautics development, the development of jets. Michael Craig is also a successful designer, working for Cecil Parker (doing a variation on his perpetual performance). The Americans are interested, in the form of Alan Hale Jr, from his wife, Jeff Donnell, and his daughter, and Helm, to England.
Of course, there are all kinds of interactions between Craig and the daughter, a growing hostility. There is also a counteroffer by Roland Culver and his son, John Standing.
Quite a lot of slapstick comedy (and a reminder of different times Michael Craig Wood and Helm over his knees and spanks her). Lots of exasperation on the part of Cecil Parker. Alan Hale going to rip Craig but getting involved in driving the Iron Maiden and, finally, his daughter driving the engine to its final victory.
The film was directed by Gerald Thomas who directed all the Carry On comedies.
1. Popular British comedy? The style of the 1950s? The 1960s and aeronautical development? British industry and American sales?
2. British nostalgia? The traction engines of the early 20th century? The history, preservation, rallies and races?
3. The setting, aeronautics factories, garages, business offices, Southampton, the British countryside, the villages, homes, the regatta, Woburn Abbey? The jaunty musical score – the jazz touches?
4. The situation, British development, Sir Giles Thompson and his presiding, John Hopkins and his design, other members of the staff, the eager finding of names? Playing up to the Americans for sales? The rivalry with Lord Uppshot?
5. Johnny Hopkins, skill in design, interest in in his traction engine, working with Fred? The attention to details of the old machines? The Admiral and his rival machine, imposing on the vicar? The attention to detail, maintenance? The Admiral digging the hole to trap the Iron Maiden? Johnny on the road, the crash with Kathy? repariing the car? Her return, working on the machine and the Ferris wheel, the rescue, returning, at the wheel of the engine, the crash? His spanking her – and contemporary attitudes to this?
6. The demonstration of the plane, Paul Fisher pleased, wanting to meet the designer? The background of the arrival in Southampton, Humphrey and his offer of the lift, leading the car, Kathy driving, his taking the term, Kathy having to return, the confrontation with the engine, the crash, Johnny and his anger? Humphrey and the rescue?
7. Sir Giles, his insistence on Johnny’s presence, Paul Fisher’s reaction?
8. Lord Uppshot, reliance on Humphrey? Mrs Fisher and her awe of British nobility, thinking about a match, going to the regatta, meeting the Earl of Bedford? Her relationship with her husband?
9. Kathy, American, getting her own way, the crash, her reaction, antagonism towards Johnny, his arrival at the apartment, his discussion with Paul, admiration, Kathy’s return, the Ferris wheel and her being drenched, leaving Johnny’s car, his reaction, the spanking?
10. Paul Fisher, old style, millionaire, bluff? Impressed by the plane, impressed by Johnny? His reaction to the spanking? Going to see Johnny, intrigued by the machine, coming on board, their working together, his enjoying it, the beer, sleep on the tarpaulin, getting the machine out of the admiral’s trap? Losing the coal, burning everything, getting to the race, his running, collapse? His wife’s reaction?
11. The race, the Admiral’s plans, Kathy coming to the rescue, driving, skills, the win?
12. The Iron Maiden and the blast? The happy ending, the sale of the plane, romance?
