The Happy Family (1952): Cast & Plot
The Happy Family is a 1952 comedy directed by Muriel Box, starring Kathleen Harrison as Lillian Lord, Stanley Holloway and Dandy Nichols. It runs 1 hour 26 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 26m (86 min)
- Director
- Muriel Box
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- London Independent Producers
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Happy Family About?
The premise of The Happy Family without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When the government plans a Festival of Britain exhibition, the project proceeds smoothly except that the essential road and pedestrian subway are blocked by a tiny corner shop run by Mr. Lord and his family. The Lords reject the authorities’ compensation offers, prompting police and bailiffs to attempt an eviction, only to be met with armed resistance as the family barricades themselves inside the shop.
The Happy Family Themes & Keywords
· 40 tags- 1951 festival of britain
- rabbit
- siege
- lie
- coincidence
- public opinion
- family relationships
- family reunion
- family discussion
- vote
- state of siege
- news headlines
+28 more Show fewer
- bbc news on the radio
- house of parliament london
- retirement
- trains
- making a speech
- talking to a rabbit
- police
- refusing to leave the house
- red tape
- looking for flashlight
- candle
- no water no electricity
- almost no food
- 9 days of siege
- thinking about surrender
- white flag
- strange ending
- medium
- trance
- refusal to the compensation
- order of eviction
- gabinet reunion
- pipe
- cigarrete
- f rated
- title directed by female
- barricade
- based on play
The Happy Family Cast & Characters
Kathleen Harrison leads the cast as Lillian Lord, with Stanley Holloway as Henry Lord and Dandy Nichols as Ada. Directed by Muriel Box; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Muriel Box
-
Kathleen Harrison as Lillian Lord -
Stanley Holloway as Henry Lord - Dandy Nichols as Ada
- Naunton Wayne as Mr. Filch
Also Starring in The Happy Family
· 8 more- Laurence Naismith Councillor
- George Cole Cyril
- Margaret Barton Anne
- Geoffrey Sumner Sir Charles Spanniell
- Miles Malleson Mr. Thwaites
- John Stratton David
- Shirley Mitchell Marina
- Eileen Moore Joan
More from Muriel Box
More films directed by Muriel Box: Rattle of a Simple Man, Too Young to Love, Subway in the Sky and This Other Eden.
The Happy Family Plot Summary
What happens in The Happy Family from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1951, the Lillian Lord and Henry Lord family run the little grocery shop that gives the House of Lords its name, a fixture on the South Bank of the Thames near the noisy construction surrounding Festival Hall. [Lillian Lord] is the steady hand who keeps the shop humming, while [Henry Lord], a British Railways train driver with over thirty years on the rails, looks forward to a quieter chapter in life once he retires. He imagines a peaceful retirement spent in the family shop, tending to his pet hare Winston, until his spiritualist sister-in-law Ada begins to sense trouble from “men in black” and warns that discord may be on the horizon.
Full summary
The whole story of The Happy Family, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Happy Family?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the occupation of Henry Lord before he retires?
The Happy Family Also Known As
Also known as “Mr. Lord Says No”.
- Also known as
-
- Mr. Lord Says No
Seen The Happy Family?
Movies Like The Happy Family
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including This Happy Breed, Happy Is the Bride and Happy Family, Conditions Apply.
The Happy Family FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Happy Family, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Happy Family?
The Happy Family runs 1 hour 26 minutes (86 minutes).
When was The Happy Family released?
The Happy Family was released on March 30, 1952.
Who directed The Happy Family?
The Happy Family was directed by Muriel Box.
More films by Muriel Box Who is in the cast of The Happy Family?
The Happy Family stars Kathleen Harrison as Lillian Lord, Stanley Holloway as Henry Lord and Dandy Nichols as Ada, among 12 credited actors.
Does The Happy Family have a post-credit scene?
No. The Happy Family has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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