Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Kaelan Mccaffrey Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Tymon Sutton The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

JohnHowardReid Copyright 1955 by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat Productions. U.S. release through Associated Artists: 5 January 1955. New York opening at the Plaza: 22 December 1954. U.K. release through British Lion: 15 November 1954. London trade show: 2 September 1954. London premiere at the Gaumont Haymarket: 1 October 1954. Australian release through London Films/Universal-International: 5 May 1955. 8,190 feet. 91 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Crooked bookies try to waylay a famous racehorse, but their plot is foiled by the alert gambling girls of St Trinian's. NOTES: One of the U.K. box-office's top ten successes of 1954, the film did less well in Australia (not even placing in the top thirty for 1955).COMMENT: This is the first of four films inspired by the anarchic cartoons of Ronald Searle. The others: Blue Murder at St Trinian's (1957), The Pure Hell of St Trinian's (1960), The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966). All were produced by Frank Launder and Sidney Gilliat. Like all the others, this first attempt is something of a disappointment to those of us who relish the macabre humor and anti-Establishment content of the cartoons. In fact the film nowhere comes near the malicious wit and fiendish humor devised by Searle. All the same, on its more elemental and routine level of bucket-on-the-head slapstick, it does produce its fair quota of diverting moments. (Odd to see Ronald Searle and his wife giving their imprimatur to the proceedings by appearing on camera as a couple of irate parents). The players, fortunately, are first rate, taking their cue from Alastair Sim who produces a delightfully fruity performance in his dual role. Other favorites who distinguish themselves here are Joyce Grenfell, Hermione Baddeley and the wonderfully lop-sided George Cole (invariably accompanied by a deliciously amusing musical motif from Malcolm Arnold's orchestra).

tedg The gag is simple. Start with a private, exclusive girl's school, something the Brits inexplicably call a "public" school. Then transform it into something criminally mischievous. At once you get the two mainstays of British humor: reversals in class and sexual tweaks.Since nearly all movies of this type are gag movies, the story is disposable, only allowing the situation to be displayed. Its a bit delicate though.In this first of the series, the class token is chosen as someone safe, an oil sheik. And the sex bit is far, far more subdued than in later episodes. The only one I have seen, "Blue Murder," the next, suggests the older girls are running a brothel. There, you have solid knicker jokes. Here you only have a soccer game inserted so you can see their figures.Since these girls are depicted as undefeatable, the situation ends up pitting the fourth grade against the sixth, since they back different horses in a race.One wonders whether this was done the Ealing way, by consulting a chart of comic situations, or the ordinary way by intuitive brainstorming.Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

chris-fowler The first of five St Trinian's films (although the last is usually discounted) was based around artist Ronald Searle's schoolgirl characters, and features the wonderful Alastair Sim in drag as Millicent Fritton, headmistress, as well as her own brother. Much of the humour is dated, yet curiously touching and outrageous in today's PC world - the girls drink, gamble, smoke and are later sold off to rich Arabs, yet always remain in charge, defeating bureaucrats, police, judges and other establishment figures as they maraud across England. Perhaps because the films have been so regularly seen on TV, St Trinians still inspires fancy dress parties and club nights. The films have recurring characters that include PC Ruby Gates (Joyce Grenfell) and Flash Harry (George Cole). The precursor to the entire series is a charming film called 'The Happiest Days Of Your Life' (1950).

rramonlugo I first saw this film in the late fifties or early sixties on tv. If I recall correctly there were a few other films in the story of the St. Trinian's Belles. I don't remember the others quite well, but the first one is without question one of the funniest films out of Britain I have ever seen. For that matter, out of anywhere. The sight gags are fast and furious, the dialogue is to die for and almost all the characters are brilliantly drawn and just plain funny. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves immensely. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who appreciates good old fashioned comedy (not rated R) and I think even children will love it. This is one of those movies (and its sequels) that I would pay almost anything to own. Enjoy it if you ever get a chance to see it.