Someday (film)
Encyclopedia
Someday is a 1935 British romance film, directed by Michael Powell
and starring Esmond Knight
and Margaret Lockwood. The screenplay was adapted from a novel by I. A. R. Wylie.
Someday is one of eleven quota quickies directed by Powell between 1931 and 1936 of which no print is known to survive. The film is not held in the BFI National Archive
, and is classed as "missing, believed lost".
Emily has to spend some days in hospital, and Curley wants to treat her when she returns. He decides to prepare her a special dinner, using an apartment belonging to a tenant who is away on business and has entrusted Curley with a key to keep an eye on the property in his absence. Unfortunately, in the middle of the romantic meal, the apartment owner returns unexpectedly and is furious to discover the unauthorised use of his apartment. The situation degenerates into a physical fight, and the apartment owner subsequently files a charge of illegal entry against Curley. Things look bleak until the amiable Canley learns what has happened and steps in to set matters right.
described it as: "a slow, meandering romantic drama, a dilatory tale of life below stairs...the theme deals with domestics and its suitability is confined mainly to picturegoers of that class." Film Weekly took a similar line, stating: "Slow and sloppy servant-girl romance that just goes on and on. Feeble entertainment." The Monthly Film Bulletin
, while not overly-enthusiastic, took a somewhat more constructive approach, writing: "This is a pleasant unpretentious story, pleasantly told. The direction, however, lacks polish and is not convincing. It is full of good ideas insufficiently carried out."
Michael Powell (director)
Michael Latham Powell was a renowned English film director, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger...
and starring Esmond Knight
Esmond Knight
Esmond Penington Knight was an English actor.He was an accomplished actor with a career spanning over half a century. For much of his career Esmond Knight was virtually blind...
and Margaret Lockwood. The screenplay was adapted from a novel by I. A. R. Wylie.
Someday is one of eleven quota quickies directed by Powell between 1931 and 1936 of which no print is known to survive. The film is not held in the BFI National Archive
BFI National Archive
The BFI National Archive is a department of the British Film Institute, and one of the largest film archives in the world. It was originally set up as the National Film Library in 1935; its first curator was Ernest Lindgren. In 1955 its name became the National Film Archive, and in 1992, the...
, and is classed as "missing, believed lost".
Plot
Curley (Knight) is a lift operator in a block of exclusive London apartments. Emily (Lockwood) is a cleaning-girl with a client, Canley (Henry Mollison), in the block, and she and Curley are attracted to one another and long to be married, but their poor economic prospects stand in the way.Emily has to spend some days in hospital, and Curley wants to treat her when she returns. He decides to prepare her a special dinner, using an apartment belonging to a tenant who is away on business and has entrusted Curley with a key to keep an eye on the property in his absence. Unfortunately, in the middle of the romantic meal, the apartment owner returns unexpectedly and is furious to discover the unauthorised use of his apartment. The situation degenerates into a physical fight, and the apartment owner subsequently files a charge of illegal entry against Curley. Things look bleak until the amiable Canley learns what has happened and steps in to set matters right.
Cast
- Esmond KnightEsmond KnightEsmond Penington Knight was an English actor.He was an accomplished actor with a career spanning over half a century. For much of his career Esmond Knight was virtually blind...
as Curley - Margaret Lockwood as Emily
- Henry Mollison as Canley
- Raymond LovellRaymond LovellRaymond Lovell was a Canadian-born film actor who performed in British produced films. He mainly played supporting roles, and was often seen as slightly pompous characters...
as Carr - Ivor BarnardIvor BarnardIvor Barnard was an English film actor. In 1929 he appeared on stage in "Bird In Hand" at the Morosco Theatre in New York City. He appeared in 84 films between 1921 and 1953. He appeared in the Alfred Hitchcock film The 39 Steps in 1935. In 1943, he played the stationmaster in the Ealing war movie...
as Hope - Sunday Wilshin as Betty
Reception
There is no indication of how successful Someday was at the box-office, but it was one of Powell's least favourably reviewed quota quickies by contemporary critics. The general tone was of sneering condescension, with the film's action often being dismissed in class-based terms. Kine WeeklyKine Weekly
The Kinematograph Weekly, popularly known as Kine Weekly, was a trade newspaper catering to the British film industry. It was published in Britain between 1889 and 1971.-Publication history:...
described it as: "a slow, meandering romantic drama, a dilatory tale of life below stairs...the theme deals with domestics and its suitability is confined mainly to picturegoers of that class." Film Weekly took a similar line, stating: "Slow and sloppy servant-girl romance that just goes on and on. Feeble entertainment." The Monthly Film Bulletin
Monthly Film Bulletin
The Monthly Film Bulletin was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 to April 1991. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those with a narrow arthouse release. The MFB was edited in the mid-1950s by David Robinson, in the late...
, while not overly-enthusiastic, took a somewhat more constructive approach, writing: "This is a pleasant unpretentious story, pleasantly told. The direction, however, lacks polish and is not convincing. It is full of good ideas insufficiently carried out."
External links
- Someday at BritMovie