| The Scamp | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Original British quad poster | |
| Directed by | Wolf Rilla |
| Written by | Wolf Rilla |
| Based on | playUncertain Joy by Charlotte Hastings |
| Produced by | James Lawrie |
| Starring | Richard Attenborough Terence Morgan Colin Petersen Dorothy Alison Jill Adams |
| Cinematography | Freddie Francis |
| Edited by | Bernard Gribble |
| Music by | Francis Chagrin |
Production company | A James Lawrie Production |
| Distributed by | Renown Pictures Corporation(UK) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 mins |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Scamp is a 1957 Britishdrama film directed byWolf Rilla and starringRichard Attenborough,Terence Morgan,Colin Petersen andDorothy Alison.[1] It was based on the playUncertain Joy by Charlotte Hastings. It was released in the U.S. asStrange Affection.[2]
A schoolteacher and his wife take in the tempestuous child of an abusive drifter. When the father returns, their lives become complicated by issues of corporal punishment, physical abuse, strained relations and various crimes.
The film was based on the playUncertain Joy by Charlotte Hastings which premiered in 1953 starring Jean Kent.
The film was produced byJames Lawrie, former head of the NFFC. The role of the boy was offered toColin Petersen the Australian star ofSmiley.[3]
Variety called it "run of the mill".[4]
TheRadio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "Having made his name in the Australian-set dramaSmiley [1956], contemporary critics had high hopes for ten-year-old Colin Petersen. He tries hard in this well intentioned story of a delinquent given a second chance, but he never convinces either as the urchin son of alcoholic music-hall actor Terence Morgan or as the confused kid cajoled by teacher Richard Attenborough and his wife Dorothy Alison. Attenborough overdoes the bourgeois benevolence."[5]
TV Guide wrote, "Shaky direction and a cliche-ridden script mar any possibilities for this human interest story";[2] whereasLeonard Maltin called it a "Decent British drama."[6]
Kine Weekly called it "a smoothly balanced job".[7]
Filmink wrote the film " isn’t as good as Smiley – it’s not as fun, and Attenborough’s character has this weird vibe that isn’t really explored – but there are good moments and Petersen is marvellous once again: energetic, cheeky, natural. Director Wolf Rilla was smart enough to let the actor use his Australian accent and he devised several scenes where Petersen shows off his real-life drumming skills."[3]
According toKinematograph Weekly the film was "in the money" at the British box office in 1957 and Renown "ran into the big money" with a shrewd double bill" ofThe Scamp andOur Girl Friday.[8][9]