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Trouble Brewing (1939 film)

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Trouble Brewing
Poster, from UK trade advertisement
Directed byAnthony Kimmins
Written by
Produced byJack Kitchin
Starring
CinematographyRonald Neame
Edited by
  • Ernest Aldridge
  • Eric Williams
Music byErnest Irving
Production
company
Distributed byAssociated British
Release date
  • March 1939 (1939-03)
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Trouble Brewing is a 1939 British comedy film directed by Anthony Kimmins and starring George Formby, Googie Withers and Gus McNaughton.[1][2] It was written by Michael Hogan, Angus MacPhail and Kimmins, based on a novel by Joan Butler.[citation needed]

It was made by Associated Talking Pictures,[3] and includes the songs "Fanlight Fanny" and "Hitting the Highspots Now".[4] The sets were designed by art director Wilfred Shingleton.

Plot summary

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George Gullip is a Daily Sun compositor who wins a large sum at the races. He collects three ten-pound notes but, unable to spend them at the bar, exchanges them for six five-pound notes, which turn out to be counterfeit. Gullip is determined to find the criminals and in so doing goes "undercover" as a waiter and a wrestler, before various clues suggest the villain is Gullip's own boss at the newspaper.[5]

Cast

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Critical reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "George Formby has done it again, which is probably all that need be said about this joyous farce."[6]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Slapstick comedy and thousands of feet of undiluted laughter-making episodes, and, of course, George with his ukulele and his own inimitable way of putting his songs ove ... boisterous opportunities for side-splitting amusement."[7]

Picturegoer wrote: "It is enjoyable knockabout stuff ... George Formby gives a real piece of comedy characterization as well as singing and playing his uke. Gus McNaughton is good as Bill and Googie Withers makes an attractive and intelligent heroine."[8]

Picture Show wrote: "Gorgeously funny comedy, which is easily the best George Formby has given us. ... Outstanding comedy entertainment."[9]

TV Guide found the film an "enjoyable Formby vehicle".[4]

Sky Movies wrote, "the fun is as fast and furious in this incident-packed George Formby romp as in any film he made...Receipts foamed over at box-offices throughout Britain."[10]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Trouble Brewing". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
  2. ^ "BFI | Film & TV Database | TROUBLE BREWING (1939)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 14 January 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  3. ^ Wood p.99
  4. ^ a b "Trouble Brewing Review". Movies.tvguide.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
  5. ^ Kimmins, Anthony (24 July 1939), Trouble Brewing (Action, Comedy, Crime), George Formby, Googie Withers, Gus McNaughton, Associated Talking Pictures (ATP), retrieved 4 December 2023
  6. ^ "Trouble Brewing". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 6 (61): 41. 1 January 1939. ProQuest 1305804020.
  7. ^ "Trouble Brewing". Kine Weekly. 301 (1): 36. 19 March 1942. ProQuest 2835074474.
  8. ^ "Trouble Brewing". Picturegoer. 9: 20. 6 July 1939. ProQuest 1771172642.
  9. ^ "Trouble Brewing". Picture Show. 41 (1056): 19. 22 July 1939. ProQuest 1880304664.
  10. ^ "Trouble Brewing - Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 6 November 2003. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.

Bibliography

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  • Wood, Linda. British Films, 1927-1939. British Film Institute, 1986.
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