| Three Hats for Lisa | |
|---|---|
.jpg) UK poster byTom Chantrell | |
| Directed by | Sidney Hayers |
| Screenplay by | Leslie Bricusse Talbot Rothwell |
| Story by | Leslie Bricusse |
| Produced by | Jack Hanbury |
| Starring | Joe Brown Sophie Hardy Sid James Una Stubbs Dave Nelson |
| Cinematography | Alan Hume |
| Edited by | Tristam Cones |
| Music by | Leslie Bricusse (songs) Eric Rogers |
Production company | Seven Hills Productions |
| Distributed by | Anglo-Amalgamated Film Distributors (UK) |
Release date |
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Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Three Hats for Lisa a.k.a.One Day in London[1] is a 1965 Britishmusicalcomedy film directed bySidney Hayers and starringJoe Brown,Sid James,Sophie Hardy,Una Stubbs and Dave Nelson.[2] The screenplay was byLeslie Bricusse andTalbot Rothwell.
It was one of a number of musicals fromNat Cohen with pop stars from this period.[3] Cohen had turned down a chance to make a film with The Beatles.[4]
Three youngCockneys take a day off work to meet Lisa Milan, an Italian movie star, atHeathrow airport. She travels with them and their taxi driver in search of some typically British hats. The rule of the game is to steal a hat from its wearer. Lisa wants abobby's helmet, a businessman'sbowler, and thebearskin cap off apalace guard. A musical chase ensues aroundSwinging Sixties London, evading press and police.
All songs written byLeslie Bricusse, except where noted.
The film was announced asA Day in London.[5] It was Sophie Hardy's first English language movie. Filming started 28 September 1964 in London. There were three weeks of location work, then the united shifting to Pinewood Studios. Filming ended in January 1965.[6]
Joe Brown had previously madeWhat a Crazy World. He thought that film was "great fun" but dislikedThree Hats for Lisa:
I hated that film but I got along with Sidney James and Una Stubbs. The songs were poor even though they were written by Leslie Bricusse. I hate dancing and they made me dance. It was going to be made in summer but it was put back and shot in the middle of winter. We were dancing on the roof of London Airport, which felt like the coldest place in the world.[7]
Brown's daughter Samantha was born during filming.[8]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Gay, modern, musical comedy which includes a novel travelogue of London. [...] A bright, tuneful and happy film. ... The music is pleasing without being memorable."[9]
Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Neither the composition nor the use of colour is particularly imaginative, which means that visually the film is nothing more than average British fare. But a teenage musical intelligent enough to make ninety-nine minutes pass as swiftly as this does, is welcome on many other counts."[10]
Variety said: "Modest, breezy musical full of good humor. Slick direction and cheerful, young cast make this an above-average British tuner."[11]
Leslie Halliwell opined: "Minor musical, silly, but good to look at."[12]
TheRadio Times Guide to Films wrote: "Not even the presence of the great Sidney James can elevate this story of Sophie Hardy's search for three typically English hats. The script, co-written by Carry On regularTalbot Rothwell, raises a few smiles, but the songs signifiy a new low in screen pop music."[13]
Films directed bySidney Hayers | |
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