The Ugly Duckling (1959 film)
| The Ugly Duckling | |
|---|---|
 British quad poster | |
| Directed by | Lance Comfort |
| Produced by | Michael Carreras |
| Written by |
Sid Colin Jack Davies |
| Story by | Sid Colin |
| Starring |
Bernard Bresslaw Jon Pertwee Reginald Beckwith |
| Music by | Douglas Gamley |
| Cinematography | Michael Reed |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures (UK) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ₤110,000[1] |
The Ugly Duckling is a 1959 British comedy film, directed by Lance Comfort for Hammer Film Productions and starring Bernard Bresslaw, Jon Pertwee and Reginald Beckwith.[2] The film is a comic adaptation of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde storyline and has nothing to do with the Hans Christian Andersen story.[3] The tagline on posters was "HE'S A CHANGED MAN AFTER TAKING JEKYLL'S FAMILY REMEDY."[4]
Plot
Henry Jeckle (Bernard Bresslaw) is a bungling, awkward and socially inept buffoon working in his brother’s pharmacy. One day he discovers an old formula created by his great-great-grandfather which claims to turn 'a man of timid disposition into a bold, fearless dragon'. He eagerly mixes the formula, takes one drink, and is transformed into the suave, dashing and self-confident Teddy Hyde. Teddy immediately becomes a darling of society and a big hit with the ladies. However he also craves the thrill of becoming a master criminal, and recruits a gang of expert crooks to join him in carrying out a series of daring and ambitious jewel robberies.
The formula wears off, and Teddy changes back into Henry, who is appalled at the crimes committed by his alter ego. Feeling overcome with guilt, he helps the police to round up and capture the robbers who have evaded them for so long.
Cast
- Bernard Bresslaw as Henry Jeckle / Teddy Hyde
- Jon Pertwee as Victor Jeckle
- Reginald Beckwith as Reginald
- Maudie Edwards as Henrietta Jeckle
- Jean Muir as Snout
- Richard Wattis as Berkeley
- Elwyn Brook-Jones as Dandy
- Michael Ripper as Benny
- David Lodge as Peewee
- Keith Smith as Figures
- Michael Ward as Pasco
- John Harvey as Sgt. Barnes
- Jess Conrad as Bimbo
- Robert Desmond as Dizzy
- Roger Avon as Reporter
- Cyril Chamberlain as Police Sergeant
- Joe Loss as Himself
Production
The film was shot in the summer of 1959 and was not a success at the box office losing ₤20,000.[1]
Critical reception
TV Guide gave it two out of five stars, and wrote, "This attempt at comedy never really pays off."[3]
References
- 1 2 Marcus Hearn & Alan Barnes, The Hammer Story: The Authorised History of Hammer Films, Titan Books, 2007 p 46
- ↑ "The Ugly Duckling (1959)".
- 1 2 "The Ugly Duckling".
- ↑ "The Ugly Duckling - Hammer".