She Didn't Say No! : Plot, Cast, Production, Critical reception Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

She Didn't Say No!

1958 British film by Cyril Frankel

She Didn't Say No!

Directed by	Cyril Frankel
Written by	T.J. Morrison
Based on	We Are Seven by Una Troy
Produced by	Sergei Nolbandov
Starring	Eileen Herlie Perlita Neilson Niall MacGinnis
Cinematography	Gilbert Taylor
Edited by	Charles Hasse
Music by	Tristram Cary
Production company	GW Films
Distributed by	Associated British-Pathé
Release date	30 September 1958
Running time	97 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

She Didn't Say No! is a 1958 British comedy film directed by Cyril Frankel and starring Eileen Herlie, Perlita Neilson and Niall MacGinnis.^[1] Based on the 1955 novel We Are Seven by Una Troy, an attractive young Irishwoman has six children from five different fathers.

Plot

In a little Irish town the authorities apply for a court order to remove the unmarried Bridget Monaghan's six children, who have five different fathers. When the judge disagrees, finding them to be a happy and united family, the doctor convenes a meeting of the surviving fathers (one has died) at which, after long discussion, they agree on a plan. To remove the scandal, they will buy the Monaghans a farm over 150 kilometres away.

Negotiations will be conducted by Casey, unmarried father of the eldest Monaghan boy, whom he takes to work on his own farm. The eldest Monaghan girl falls in love with a visiting painter, who wants to take her to Italy. The next Monaghan girl catches the eye of a visiting film director, who wants to take her to London. The youngest Monaghan boy wins the heart of his father's childless wife, who wants to adopt him. Two children are left when Casey is ready to move the family to their new home and, to remove scandal, he marries their mother.

Cast

Eileen Herlie as Bridget Monahan
Perlita Neilson as Mary Monahan
Wilfred Downing as Tommy Monahan
Anne Dickins as Poppy Monahan
Teri Scoble as twin #2
Lesley Scoble as twin #1
Raymond Manthorpe as Toughy Monahan
Niall MacGinnis as James Casey
Patrick McAlinney as Matthew Hogan
Jack MacGowran as William Bates
Joan O'Hara as Mrs. Bates
Ray McAnally as Jim Power
Betty McDowall as Mrs. Power
Ian Bannen as Peter Howard
Eithne Dunne as Miss Hogan
Hilton Edwards as Film Director
Maureen Halligan as Miss Kelly
Harry Hutchinson as Judge
Paul Farrell as Darmody
Shirley Joy as Maybella Merton
Viola Keats as Mrs. Merton
Anna Manahan as Maggie Murphy
Michael O'Brien as Sergeant
Liam Redmond as Dr. Cassidy
John Welsh as Inspector

Production

The film was shot at Elstree Studios and in Cornwall, using Technicolor. The film's sets were designed by the art director William Kellner.

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "All the humour to be evoked from the subject of illegitimacy is here unmercifully bludgeoned, and a jolly musical score insists what a gay affair it all is. The direction is heavily unsubtle and the playing coyly emphatic. As an entertainment, the film is mediocre as well as mildly offensive."^[2]

British film critic Leslie Halliwell said: "Coyly daring comedy full of stage Oirishisms and obvious jokes, a few of whoich work."^[3]

References

^ "She Didn't Say No!". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
^ "She Didn't Say No!". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 25 (288): 91. 1 January 1958 – via ProQuest.
^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 908. ISBN 0586088946.