Ferien wie noch nie (1950)

Ferien wie noch nie: Directed by Henry Cass. With Alec Guinness, Beatrice Campbell, Kay Walsh, Grégoire Aslan. After a lonely, unappreciated farm equipment salesman discovers he has only a few weeks to live, he withdraws his savings for a final holiday at a “posh” resort.

“What makes a film good? In this case itu0026#39;s the writing that first draws you in. Writer and co-producer J.B.Priestly (The Old Dark House u0026#39;32 ~ An Inspector Calls u0026#39;54) has a way with words that compels the viewer to want to know more about his characters. With wit and a sense of mystery, he surrounds us with multi layered groups of people that are mostly drawn together by chance. In u0026#39;Last Holidayu0026#39; the cruel hand of fate brings us face to face with ultimate irony.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s filled with marvelous situations, at first upsetting, then wryly funny, leading to an unexpected ending that invites us to examine the way we not only relate to others, but how we treat them. Priestly is examining the bias that all too often accompanies class consciousness. The cast is exquisitely diverse, everyone from bit players to mains, deliver sterling performances under direction from Henry Cass (Glass Mountain u0026#39;49). Welsh born Cinematographer: Ray Elton (Quartet u0026#39;48) with his strong grounding in documentaries, brings a realistic look to the fine work of Scottish art director Duncan Sutherland (San Demetrio London u0026#39;43 ~ The Human Monster u0026#39;49). u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI found the music score by Romanian born composer Francis Chargrin surprisingly melodic for a 50s film of this type. Its thoughtful main theme is equally likable as his later u0026#39;The Beachomberu0026#39; in u0026#39;54. You might also remember Chargrin for his u0026#39;Colditz Storyu0026#39; u0026#39;55, and u0026#39;Grey Friars Bobbyu0026#39; u0026#39;61. Those who enjoy the always professional performances of Alec Guinness will enjoy his generally dour role in this off-beat mini classic.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMy viewing was hindered by Australian TV broadcaster Gemu0026#39;s, persistence in supering u0026#39;pop-upu0026#39; adds for up-coming shows, and their ridiculous LARGE lolly u0026#39;Pinku0026#39; station ID. At least this time they screened the full film after inadvertently leaving out a reel in an earlier screening! Sure wish this broadcaster would treat their viewers, and the films they run with far more respect!”