Rattle of a Simple Man
Rattle of a Simple Man is a 1964 British comedy-drama film directed by Muriel Box and starring Diane Cilento, Harry H. Corbett and Michael Medwin, based on the 1963 play by Charles Dyer. The screenplay is about a naive man who becomes involved with a prostitute. Premise Percy Winthram is a 39-year-old socially inept, anxious virgin who pretends to be younger and travels by coach to London from Manchester with a group of friends to watch the FA Cup Final. The group have a night out in Soho and a £50 bet leads Percy to spend the evening with prostitute Cyrenne. Selected cast Diane Cilento as Cyrenne Harry H. Corbett as Percy Winthram Michael Medwin as Ginger Thora Hird as Mrs. Winthram Charles Dyer as Chalky Hugh Futcher as Ozzie Carole Gray as District Nurse Barbara Archer as Iris David Saire as Mario Alexander Davion as Ricardo John Ronane as Willie Michael Robbins as George George Roderick as Papa Marie Burke as Mama Bryan Mosley as Mr. Stratton (uncredited) Marianne Stone as Barmaid Brian Wilde as Fred Ingrid Anthofer as 1st Stripper Karen Kaufman as 2nd Stripper Terence Brook as Strip Club Barman Eric Mason as Strip Club Doorman Thelma Taylor as Strip Club waitress David Burke as Jack Paul Ferris as Mike Frank Hawkins as Crying Man Roy Patrick as Sailor Doug Robinson as Big Joe Christine Taylor as Party Girl Marjie Lawrence as Barmaid (uncredited) Production Sydney Box emerged from a temporary retirement from filmmaking to buy the rights to the play for £50,000. Box originally wanted Peter Sellers for the lead role but he was too expensive. Reception Box office The film was not a success at the box office. Critical Variety commented that "most of the charm and tenderness that occasionally illuminated Charles Dyer’s successful play has been lost in this coarsened, fatuous film. Only a lively, vivid performance by Diane Cilento in a contrived role holds much interest, though a sound cast does spartan work in juggling the sparse material"; while Sky Movies called it "a rather touching and at times richly amusing extended playlet about an 'innocent' football fan from the north, and the night he spends talking to a London prostitute in her flat. Not very plausible, perhaps, but winningly done. As Cyrenne, the streetwalker, Diane Cilento is persuasive and just right. And Harry H Corbett was able to break away completely from his Steptoe image. Michael Medwin is also very good as Corbett's big-talking friend." References External links 1964 films 1964 comedy-drama films 1960s sex comedy films 1960s English-language films British association football films British black-and-white films British comedy-drama films British films based on plays British sex comedy films Films about dysfunctional families Films about prostitution in the United Kingdom Films about virginity Films directed by Muriel Box Films set in London Films shot at Associated British Studios 1960s British films