Touch and Go (1955 film)

Touch and Go
Touch and Go UK release poster
Directed by	Michael Truman
Written by	William Rose Tania Rose
Produced by	Michael Balcon
Starring	Jack Hawkins Margaret Johnston June Thorburn
Cinematography	Douglas Slocombe
Edited by	Peter Tanner
Music by	John Addison
Production company	Ealing Studios
Distributed by	J. Arthur Rank Film Distributors
Release date	3 October 1955 (1955-10-03) (London)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Touch and Go (U.S. The Light Touch) is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Michael Truman, and starring Jack Hawkins, Margaret Johnston, and June Thorburn. The film was made by Ealing Studios. The film was indifferently received on release, and is not generally included in the canon of classic Ealing Comedies. It did, however, pick up two nominations at the 1956 British Academy Film Awards: Margaret Johnston for "Best British Actress", and William Rose for "Best British Screenplay" – Rose did win that year's screenplay award, but for another Ealing film, The Ladykillers.

Plot

Following an argument with a work superior, furniture designer Jim Fletcher quits his job in a fit of pique. He decides that England has nothing to offer him, and that the future for his family is in Australia. He eagerly sets about making emigration plans, and despite the fact that his wife and family are less than enthusiastic about moving to the other side of the world, he disregards their reservations, and presses ahead. Practical and bureaucratic hitches continually threaten to derail the project. Jim must also deal with the opposition of his in-laws, finds himself missing his job, and starts to have doubts himself about the wisdom of the move. However, the snags and pitfalls are finally sorted out, and a firm departure date is set. Then two days before they are due to leave, the Fletchers' daughter meets, and instantly falls in love with, her ideal man after he rescues the family cat, Heathcliff. A good deal of heart-searching ensues before the Fletchers decide whether or not to go ahead with emigration during a delay caused by a missing Heathcliff.

Cast

• Jack Hawkins as Jim Fletcher
• Margaret Johnston as Helen Fletcher
• June Thorburn as Peggy Fletcher
• John Fraser as Richard Kenyon
• Roland Culver as Reg Fairbright
• Alison Leggatt as Alice Fairbright
• Margaret Halstan as Mrs. Pritchett
• Henry B. Longhurst as Mr. Pritchett
• James Hayter as Kimball
• Basil Dignam as Stevens
• Bessie Love as Mrs. Baxter
• Gabrielle Brune as Waitress
• Warwick Ashton as Policeman
• Dorothy White as Girl on the Bridge
• Liz Fraser as Girl on the Bridge (as Elizabeth Winch)
• Alfred Burke as Man on the Bridge

Critical reputation

The Radio Times called the film "A depressing wallow in the sort of whimsy that Ealing foisted upon the world as British Realism"; whereas Leonard Maltin was more positive, calling the film a "wry study".

External links

• Touch and Go at IMDb
• Touch and Go at AllMovie