The First Offence

For the King Prawn album, see First Offence.

The First Offence is a 1936 British low-budget "quota quickie"^[1] drama film directed by Herbert Mason, produced by Michael Balcon for Gainsborough Pictures and distributed by Gaumont-British Distributors. The cast includes John Mills, Lilli Palmer and Bernard Nedell.^[2] The story was written by Stafford Dickens and Austin Melford. It is a remake of the 1934 French film Mauvaise Graine, directed by Billy Wilder.^[3]

The First Offence
Original trade ad
Directed by	Herbert Mason
Written by	Stafford Dickens Austin Melford
Based on	Mauvaise Graine
Produced by	Michael Balcon
Starring	John Mills Lilli Palmer Bernard Nedell
Cinematography	Arthur Crabtree
Edited by	Michael Gordon
Music by	Allan Gray Franz Waxman
Production company	Gainsborough Pictures
Distributed by	Gaumont-British Distributors
Release date	March 1936 (1936-03) United Kingdom
Running time	66 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The First Offence was released to cinemas in the United Kingdom in March 1936.

Plot

A wealthy doctor's rich and spoiled son, Johnnie Penrose joins a gang of car thieves in France after being denied a car by his father.

Cast

• John Mills as Johnnie Penrose
• Lilli Palmer as Jeanette
• Bernard Nedell as The Boss
• Michel André as Michel
• H. G. Stoker as Doctor Penrose
• Jean Wall as The Zebra
• Paul Velsa as Peanuts
• Marcel Maupi as Man in Panama Hat
• Judy Kelly as Girl in Garage
• Marcel André as Michel

Production

The film was originally called Bad Blood and was going to star Paul Robeson.^[4]

Filming took place in London.^[5]