Review of Give Us the Moon

This follows in the footsteps of Val Guest's directorial debut Miss London Limited in introducing a more cosmopolitan flavour to Gainsborough comedies. Certainly not to all tastes then or now, but very funny and enjoyable if you give it a chance. The stars obtain full value out of an original and witty script from Caryl Brahms and her associates. Margaret Lockwood who relished this kind of role as a change from playing wicked ladies is charming and lovely and amusing as Nina, the White Russian who was probably not a princess, and there is real chemistry in her relationship with Peter Graves, an actor I often find rather too smug but whom is excellent as the heir to an hotel chain whom is 'no Joe Lyons'. Of course the most remarkable performance comes from the young Jean Simmons as the fast-talking wise-cracking schoolgirl who almost steals the show. I was surprised to find Vic Oliver's eccentric con-man business so enjoyable while Frank Cellier is excellent as the blustering hotel tycoon. I also liked Roland Culver's languid philanderer, Max Bacon, and the rest of the splendid White Elephants.