NR | 1h 27m | Comedy, Romance | 1937
British comedies of the 1930s could be surprisingly cheeky about people obsessed with authority. Official titles, offices, and public reputations were all fair game, especially when politicians began taking themselves too seriously.
“Storm in a Teacup,” a 1937 British comedy (released in the United States in 1938), belongs comfortably in that tradition, mixing political satire with romance and a very British taste for embarrassment.
The film was directed by Victor Saville and Ian Dalrymple and adapted from German writer Bruno Frank’s play “Sturm im Wasserglas.” Scottish playwright James Bridie had previously reworked it for the British stage.
The screen version places all the action in Baikie, a fictional town in western Scotland, giving the comedy a compact setting where civic pride and local gossip can become almost inseparable.
It also arrived at an interesting point in the careers of its two young leads. As Frank Burdon, Rex Harrison received his first starring film role here. Much of what audiences would later recognize in him is already present, especially the rapid speech, dry amusement, and ability to make insolence seem almost civilized.
Vivien Leigh’s role as Victoria Gow was still two years away from “Gone With the Wind” (1939). Seeing her in a British comedy gives a very different impression from her portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara.
Cecil Parker and Sara Allgood bring another generation of accomplished British performers to the cast. Parker, in particular, has a gift for making self-importance funny, while Allgood brings a warmer presence to the picture. Nearly nine decades later, the film’s interest in political vanity, newspaper scrutiny, and public ridicule remains easy to recognize.
Provost Meets His Match
Patsy the dog has no idea he’s about to become a political problem. Soon after reporter Burdon reaches Baikie, he watches the police remove Patsy from the home of Honoria Hegarty (Allgood).
Honoria owes fines connected with the animal’s license, but she can’t afford to pay them. She later takes her case to Provost William Gow (Parker). She hopes a personal appeal might save her dog, but Gow refuses her request.
Frank happens to witness Honoria’s appeal. He was supposed to write about Sir William, but Honoria has just handed him a far more interesting subject. Frank puts her poor treatment into print, and Sir William soon faces an angry crowd at a political rally.
The arrogant provost (the Scottish equivalent of a town mayor) blames Burdon for the humiliation, but he refuses to back off. Their feud begins swallowing up political meetings, newspaper pages, and nearly everyone unfortunate enough to get between them.
Then there’s Gow’s daughter, Victoria, whom Burdon has begun courting. She has affection for her father while seeing how badly his pride is serving him. Frank’s pursuit of her keeps bringing the two men into each other’s path. A conflict which began with policemen taking a poor woman’s dog soon has people barking at the provost. In the middle of the commotion, a budding romance develops.
Playing It Smart
Harrison shines here as Frank. Even this early in his career, he knows how to play a smart, irritating newspaperman. Frank can be principled and aggravating within the same conversation, which keeps him from becoming a saintly crusader. He clearly enjoys getting under Sir William’s skin. Harrison’s comedic timing makes that pleasure contagious.
Parker may get the biggest laughs as Sir William. His provost seems genuinely convinced that dignity and good government are whatever he says they are, so every public embarrassment feels like a personal betrayal.
Once Baikie’s citizens begin turning against him, Parker lets the indignation build until Sir William looks ready to prosecute the entire town for insolence.
Leigh has plenty of comic ease as Victoria, and her scenes with Harrison have a playful quality. She’s such a great actress that Victoria’s divided loyalties never feel overplayed.
There’s something satisfying about seeing an overlooked woman finally get heard because a reporter decides her treatment belongs in print. Frank’s article puts Sir William into a position he can’t control, since the people of Baikie can now judge his behavior for themselves.
“Storm in a Teacup” gets plenty of humor from watching a power-hungry politician discover that official authority offers little protection once the public starts laughing at him.
“Storm in a Teacup” is available on GanJingWorld.
‘Storm in a Teacup’
Director: Ian Dalrymple, Victor Saville
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Rex Harrison, Cecil Parker
Not Rated
Running time: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Release Date: Feb. 25, 1938
Rated: 3 1/2 stars out of 5
What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to features@epochtimes.nyc
