It Always Rains on Sunday (1947)
-
94% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
72% of users liked it
(167 ratings)
After the war, British films began avoiding the heiresses and lordships that had dominated the drama field and began pursuing "realism" -- which often was just as artificial as the earlier white-telephone pictures. John McCallum plays Tommy Swann, a product of the working class who tries… More After the war, British films began avoiding the heiresses and lordships that had dominated the drama field and began pursuing "realism" -- which often was just as artificial as the earlier white-telephone pictures. John McCallum plays Tommy Swann, a product of the working class who tries to better himself by becoming a criminal. Escaping from prison, Swann hides out in the East London home of his former mistress Rose (Googie Withers), who has since married George Sandigate (Edward Chapman). The film is told from Swann's point-of-view, and a dismal view that is. Nor does Rose seem any happier with her drab lot in life. Swann's return does nothing but further their misery, tearing Rose' family apart and sending Swann back into the arms of the law. Considered a tension-laden slice of life in 1949, It Always Rains on Sunday seems a bit contrived today, though it does full justice to the Arthur La Bern novel on which it is based -- especially when the film leaves the environs of the house and zeroes in on its colorful roster of bit actors. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Hamer
- Written By
- Henry Cornelius, Robert Hamer
- Genres
- Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Nov 25, 1947 Wide
- Studio
- Rialto Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
Michael Sragow, New Yorker
Hamer's artful and iconoclastic film mixes a day in the life of a working-class family with a startling prison-break melodrama.
-
Stephen Garrett, Time Out
A resolutely downbeat - remarkably so for Ealing Studios - account of a day in the life of Bethnal Green...
-
Joel Brown, Boston Globe
This is a mostly forgotten gem.
-
Dave Calhoun, Time Out
A real gem.
-
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
[Hamer] shows a fluency with noir's shadowy visual vocabulary, but what really links this to the genre is its sense of haunting regret and lost opportunity.
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)
Featured Audience Ratings
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Googie Withers
as Rose Sandigate
-
Edward Chapman
as George Sandigate
-
Susan Shaw
as Vi Sandigate
-
Patricia Plunkett
as Doris Sandigate
-
Sydney Tafler
as Morry Hyams
-
Betty Ann Davies
as Sadie Hyams
-
John Slater
as Lou Hyams
-
Jane Hylton
as Bessie Hyams
-
Meier Tzelniker
as Solly
-
John McCallum
as Tommy Swann
-
Jimmy Hanley
as Whitey
-
John Carol
as Freddie Price
-
Jack Warner
as Detective Sgt. Fothergill
-
Frederick Piper
as Detective Sgt. Leech
-
Hermione Baddeley
as Mrs. Spry
-
Michael Howard
as Slopey Collins
-
John Salew
as Caleb Neesley
-
Gladys Henson
as Mrs. Neesley
-
Edie Martin
as Mrs. Watson
-
Grace Arnold
as Ted's Landlady
-
Alfie Bass
as Dicey Perkins
-
Gilbert Davis
as Pub Owner of the "Two Compasses"
-
Fred Griffiths
as Sam
-
Vida Hope
as Mrs. Wallis
-
John Vere
as Rev. Black
-
Arthur Hambling
as Yardmaster
-
Betty Baskcomb
as Barmaid of the "Two Compasses"
-
Joey Carr
as Joe
-
David Lines
as Alfie Sandigate
-
Al Millen
as Bill Hawkins
