A young man falls in with a society whose principle is a complete disregard for work, and chaos ensues when the society decides to help run the hotel of his father.A young man falls in with a society whose principle is a complete disregard for work, and chaos ensues when the society decides to help run the hotel of his father.A young man falls in with a society whose principle is a complete disregard for work, and chaos ensues when the society decides to help run the hotel of his father.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was Jean Simmons's film debut. She was selected from about two hundred applicants.
- Quotes
Sascha: [Reads the White Elephants Oath to Peter Pyke] I solemnly promise not to notice anything anyone leaves undone. I promise to never use such phrases as, "Pull yourself together, man;" "Why don't you get a job;" "If I was in your place;" or any reference to the word, "work." Penalty for infringement, four pence. Should I find myself a useful member of society, I swear to inform the committee. All elephants are my brothers.
[He concludes]
Sascha: I now pronounce you a White Elephant.
- Crazy creditsOpening credits: IF ANY CHARACTER IN THIS FILM RESEMBLES ANY CHARACTER, LIVING OR DEAD, THEN THAT CHARACTER HAS NO CHARACTER
Groucho Marx or Someone.
- ConnectionsReferences Casablanca (1942)
This film has a great idea about a group who call themselves "White Elephants" and who refuse to do anything useful for society, especially work. It has the potential to be a commendable blueprint for life, but unfortunately, it is played out by a weak cast who are all ultimately irritating characters. From Margaret Lockwood's "Nina" with her irritating fake Russian accent to Jean Simmons' unconvincing streetwise "Heidi", through to Peter Graves' arrogantly slimy "Peter Pyke", they are all unfunny. The dialogue is delivered at a quick pace as if to impress the viewer with it's cleverness. It is indeed funny in parts but it is not consistent.
A memorably bad part of the film involves a duel sequence which is not at all funny. Why did British films think that audiences wanted to watch this sort of claptrap? However, the film does contain some funny moments, eg, the theory behind going to school to become stupid; and the attempts by a couple of the "Elephants" to serve food at a restaurant. Sadly, the film never quite gets going and just ends up as a boring noise. Shame.
- AAdaSC
- Apr 27, 2010
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Daj nam księżyc
- Filming locations
- Gainsborough Studios, Islington, London, England, UK(studio: made at the Gainsborough Studios, London)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 35 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1