A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(591 ratings)

In this sentimental comedy, Carol Reed tries for a bit of neo-realist whimsy that takes place in the London slums of Petticoat Lane. The film centers upon Joe (Jonathan Ashmore), a six-year-old London East-ender who believes strongly in the magical power of unicorns. Joe and his lonely mother Joanna… More In this sentimental comedy, Carol Reed tries for a bit of neo-realist whimsy that takes place in the London slums of Petticoat Lane. The film centers upon Joe (Jonathan Ashmore), a six-year-old London East-ender who believes strongly in the magical power of unicorns. Joe and his lonely mother Joanna (Celia Johnson) live with wily, philosophical tailor Kandinsky (David Kossoff), who convinces Joe that if he could only come upon the legendary unicorn, he could grant all the wishes of his poor neighbors. Taking Kandinsky at his word, Joe searches the slums for a unicorn. Then one morning, he finds one. Only thing is, it is not a unicorn but a baby goat with a growth sticking out of his forehead. Nevertheless, Joe is convinced that the goat is a unicorn. He gives an elderly homeless man all of his savings for the kid and triumphantly takes it home. Hoping to use the kid to grant all his friends' wishes, he hopes to grant the wishes of Kandinsky, who wants a steam-pressing table, and Sonia (Diana Dors), an attractive blonde who wants to marry Sam (Joe Robinson), a handsome wrestler. And finally, he wishes for his father to return home to his lonely mother. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Carol Reed
Written By: Wolf Mankowitz
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 17, 1956 Wide
On DVD: Apr 5, 2005

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Delightful fantasy story.
Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Baa-a-a-a-d...
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Wants to be a child's fantasy writ large. Stumbles and breaks its nose on the stairwell instead.
Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Ashmore's constant screeching about his goat is enough to make even the most child-loving among you want him locked in the trunk of a car.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Sarah B

Lovely film about a boy with an overactive imagination who improves the lives of the people around him: spoiler it's not the unicorn who grants the wishes, it's the boy's influence. Beautiful stuff, just erratic. Not Carol Reed's finest, but a fascinating precursor… More
Lovely film about a boy with an overactive imagination who improves the lives of the people around him: spoiler it's not the unicorn who grants the wishes, it's the boy's influence. Beautiful stuff, just erratic. Not Carol Reed's finest, but a fascinating precursor to his masterpiece: Oliver!

Cast

            Celia Johnson as Joanne

            Diana Dors as Sonia

            David Kossoff as Kandinsky

            Brenda De Banzie as "Lady" Ruby

            Joe Robinson as Sam

            Jonathan Ashmore as Joe

            Sydney Tafler as Madame Rita

            Primo Carnera as Python Macklin

            Lou Jacobi as Blackie Isaacs

            Daphne Anderson as Dora

            Danny Green as Bason

            Vera Day as Mimi

            Sidney James as Ice Berg

            Irene Handl as Mrs. Abramowitz

            Alfie Bass as Alf the Bird Man

            Eddie Byrne as Sylvester Photographer

            Barbara Archer
            
            Harry Baird as Jamaica

            Bruce Beeby as Policeman

            Harold Berens as Oliver

            Frank Blake as M.C.

            Madge Brindley as Mrs. Quinn

            Harold Goodwin as Chick man

            Nora Gordon as Customer

            Lily Kann as Mrs. Kramm

            Sam Kydd
            
            Arthur Lovegrove as Postman

            Eddie Malin as Dog man

            Raymond Rollett as Breakaway China Stallholder

            Derek Sydney as Fortune teller

            Joseph Tomelty as Vagrant

            Bart Allison as Auctioneer

            Norman Mitchell as Stallholder

            Marigold Russell as 3rd Customer

            Barbara Denny
            
            James Lomas as Sandwich Board Man

            Judith Nelmes as Alf's Customer

            Mollie Palmer
            
            Charles Saynor
            
            Arthur Skinner
            
            Peter Taylor as Dog man
See full cast