My Learned Friend

1943 1h 10m EN

😐

6.2

MID

★6.2TMDB · 16

ComedyCrime

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

An insane murderer is on the loose, and gunning for the men who put him away. William Fitch is on the list, and co-opts his buddy Claude Babbington to try and prevent a grisly end.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Will Hay
William Fitch
Claude Hulbert
Claude Babbington
Mervyn Johns
Grimshaw
Laurence Hanray
Sir Norman
Aubrey Mallalieu
Magistrate
Charles Victor
'Safety' Wilson
Ernest Thesiger
Ferris
Eddie Phillips
'Basher' Blake

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Basil Dearden
Writers: Angus MacPhail, John Dighton
Languages: English
Countries: United Kingdom

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 70-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

ERA

Did you know

83 years old — a genuine piece of film history.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Basil Dearden, shot by Wilkie Cooper. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Charles Hasse shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Will Hay and Claude Hulbert and Mervyn Johns carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0036184 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

Only 16 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Basil Dearden directs. Wilkie Cooper behind the camera. Charles Hasse cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 70-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
283 years old — a genuine piece of film history.
3Directed by Basil Dearden, shot by Wilkie Cooper. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Editor Charles Hasse shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Will Hay and Claude Hulbert and Mervyn Johns carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0036184 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
7Only 16 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.

The technical file

Cinematography: Wilkie Cooper
Editing: Charles Hasse
Runtime: 70 min · 1h 10m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
IMDB: My Learned Friend (1943)

Also by

Basil Dearden

Community reviews

What people are saying

John Chard2014-09-06
★ 9/10
The wonderful Will Hay signs off with black comedy classic. This review is from: My Learned Friend [DVD] (DVD) A mad murderer is on the loose and vowing to kill off all those who done him wrong. Seventh on the list is failed lawyer William Fitch, can Fitch and his equally inefficient cohort Claude Babbington stop the madman before Fitch meets his end? This was sadly to be Will Hay's last film before retiring due to ill health that would claim his life in 1949, with a CV boasting only 19 acting credits, it's not a wonder that the fabulous Will Hay is still not a big enough name to befit his considerable comedic acting talent. Of the 19 acting credits to is name, My Learned Friend easily slots into a top five best list, fusing mad cap comedy with delicious dots of dry black humour, it's a brisk and delightful way to spend 74 minutes. Tagging along with Hay is Claude Hulbert as Babbington, full of vigour he is the perfect foil to Hay's brand of delivery, whilst Mervyn Johns has a devilishly good time as the mad vendetta driven Grimshaw. There is no pious propaganda here, no ulterior motives hidden within the structure, it's a simplistic tale given total comedic treatment from a much undervalued British treasure. 9/10

Production companies

Who made it

Ealing Studios
GB

Key crew

ProducerMichael Balcon
Production SupervisorJohn Croydon
EditorCharles Hasse
Art DirectionMichael Relph
MusicErnest Irving
Special EffectsRoy Kellino
Sound RecordistLen Page
Wardrobe DesignerMarianne

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

dark comedy
ealing

Release history · US

When it landed

Theatrical1943-10-25

6.6