What the Butler Saw (1950 film)

What the Butler Saw is a 1950 British second feature ('B')^[2] comedy film directed by Godfrey Grayson and starring Edward Rigby, Henry Mollison and Mercy Haystead.^[3][4] The screenplay was by A.R. Rawlinson and E.J. Mason, from an original story by Roger and Donald Good. It was made by Hammer Films.^[5] Production began on Jan. 9, 1950. It was trade shown on June 22, 1950 at the Rialto, and was released in September 1950. The film did not do well at the box office, and, although once considered a lost film,^[6] it is now freely available on the internet and has been shown in the UK by Talking Pictures TV.

What the Butler Saw
Directed by	Godfrey Grayson
Screenplay by	A.R. Rawlinson E.J. Mason
Based on	An original story by Roger and Donald Good
Produced by	Anthony Hinds
Starring	Edward Rigby Henry Mollison Mercy Haystead Michael Ward
Cinematography	Walter J. Harvey (as Walter Harvey)
Edited by	James Needs
Production company	Hammer Films
Distributed by	Exclusive Films
Release date	September 1950 (1950-09) [1]
Running time	61 mins
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Plot

The Earl, having retired as the Governor of a British-owned tropical island, returns home to England to find that Lapis, the attractive daughter of the island's native king, has stowed away in his baggage. She has fallen in love with his butler, Bembridge. Fearing a scandal, the Earl and Bembridge and family try to keep her hidden, but she roams the house and becomes known to the staff who leak her presence to a newspaper. A reporter arrives to investigate, but winds up falling in love with the Earl's daughter, and agrees to hold off on filing his story about Lapis. Through his contacts in the government, the Earl arranges for Bembridge to be appointed as the Governor of the island kingdom, and both of them together with Lapis set off to return there, where the Earl will serve as their butler.

Cast

• Edward Rigby as the Earl
• Henry Mollison as Bembridge the butler
• Mercy Haystead as Lapis
• Anne Valery as the Earl's daughter, Elaine
• Peter Burton as Bill Fenton, the reporter
• Michael Ward as Gerald
• Eleanor Hallam as Lady Mary
• Howard Charlton as Perks
• Alfred Harris as Bishop
• George Bishop as the General
• Norman Pitt as policeman

Reception

Picturegoer wrote: "Edward Rigby's picture. Without him this latest effort by Exclusive Films would creak badly. But even his wonderful wit cannot prevent it from being dull and slow in parts. Few of the situations are original. ... Henry Mollison does not always show the poise associated with a good butler."^[7]

Picture Show wrote: "Farcical comedy, directed without subtlety, acted with liveliness."^[8]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Rigby's valiant efforts keep farce going."^[9]