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The Amorous Prawn

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The Amorous Prawn
Original film poster
Directed byAnthony Kimmins
Written byAnthony Kimmins (play and screenplay)
Nicholas Phipps
Produced byLeslie Gilliat
StarringIan Carmichael
Joan Greenwood
Cecil Parker
CinematographyWilkie Cooper
Edited byThelma Connell
Music byJohn Barry
Production
company
Covent Garden Films
Distributed byBritish Lion Films
Release date
  • 26 November 1962 (1962-11-26) (UK)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Amorous Prawn, also known as The Amorous Mr. Prawn, is a 1962 British comedy film directed by Anthony Kimmins and starring Ian Carmichael, Joan Greenwood and Cecil Parker.[1] The film was based on a 1959 farcical play by Kimmins.[2]

In the United States the film was retitled The Playgirl and the War Minister to exploit the Profumo affair.[3]

Premise

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General Fitzadam receives his final posting in the remote Scottish Highlands. When the General and his wife discover that they cannot afford the country cottage where they plan to retire, his wife decides to run their residence as a hotel for wealthy Americans using the services of soldiers and an expert poacher.

Cast

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Production

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The original play had run for over 900 performances in the West End.[4][5]

Critical reception

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The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A pair of amorous prawns and their progeny processing behind the credit titles set the note of good, clean fun on which this inoffensive farce means to continue. In spite of a hoary formula and a slow start, the film has its amusing moments. The settings are easy on the eye, and some of the acting, especially Cecil Parker's suddenly benign air of conspiracy and Liz Fraser's imbecilic giggle, has charm. The climax, effectively tying up more loose ends than previously seemed to exist, is a glorious romp."[6]

Variety called the film "non-demanding light entertainment, cheerfully put over by a reliable cast of popular British thesps."[7]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "Director Anthony Kimmins also wrote the play on which this is based and he hasn't really opened it out too much for the cinema. As a result, the talents of lan Carmichael are given little room."[8]

References

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  1. ^ "The Amorous Prawn". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Production of The Amorous Prawn - Theatricalia". theatricalia.com. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  3. ^ "The Playgirl and the War Minister (1963) - Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  4. ^ Stephen Watts (25 March 1962). "Film Activities Along The Thames". The New York Times.
  5. ^ Fairclough, Robert (22 September 2011). This Charming Man: The Life of Ian Carmichael. Aurum Press. p. 160. ISBN 9781845137380.
  6. ^ "The Amorous Prawn". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 29 (336): 169. 1 January 1962. ProQuest 1305830419 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ "The Amorous Prawn". Variety. 1 January 1962.
  8. ^ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 36. ISBN 9780992936440.
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