A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)
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60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews) -
53% of users liked it
(599 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
- Directed By
- Carol Reed
- Written By
- Wolf Mankowitz
- Genres
- Drama, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Apr 17, 1956 Wide
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Delightful fantasy story.
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Staci Layne Wilson, StaciWilson.com
Baa-a-a-a-d...
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Widgett Walls, Needcoffee.com
Wants to be a child's fantasy writ large. Stumbles and breaks its nose on the stairwell instead.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Celia Johnson
as Joanne
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Diana Dors
as Sonia
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David Kossoff
as Kandinsky
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Brenda De Banzie
as "Lady" Ruby
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Joe Robinson
as Sam
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Jonathan Ashmore
as Joe
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Sydney Tafler
as Madame Rita
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Primo Carnera
as Python Macklin
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Lou Jacobi
as Blackie Isaacs
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Daphne Anderson
as Dora
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Danny Green
as Bason
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Vera Day
as Mimi
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Sidney James
as Ice Berg
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Irene Handl
as Mrs. Abramowitz
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Alfie Bass
as Alf the Bird Man
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Eddie Byrne
as Sylvester Photographer
- Barbara Archer
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Harry Baird
as Jamaica
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Bruce Beeby
as Policeman
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Harold Berens
as Oliver
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Frank Blake
as M.C.
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Madge Brindley
as Mrs. Quinn
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Harold Goodwin
as Chick man
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Nora Gordon
as Customer
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Lily Kann
as Mrs. Kramm
- Sam Kydd
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Arthur Lovegrove
as Postman
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Eddie Malin
as Dog man
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Raymond Rollett
as Breakaway China Stallholder
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Derek Sydney
as Fortune teller
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Joseph Tomelty
as Vagrant
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Bart Allison
as Auctioneer
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Norman Mitchell
as Stallholder
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Marigold Russell
as 3rd Customer
- Barbara Denny
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James Lomas
as Sandwich Board Man
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Judith Nelmes
as Alf's Customer
- Mollie Palmer
- Charles Saynor
- Arthur Skinner
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Peter Taylor
as Dog man
