Dear Mr. Prohack (Original title)Mr. Prohack (Working title)Dear Mister Prohack (Help search title)Dear Mr Prohack (Help search title)Dear Mr.Prohack (Help search title)
Dates: 1949 (Copyright), 10 October 1949 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Thornton Freeland
Synopsis: Comedy. High-up Treasury official Arthur Prohack is known for keeping a firm control on the handling of public money, by economising wherever possible. When he comes into an inherited fortune of a quarter of a million pounds, though, he has no idea how to cope with his personal wealth. He invests unwisely (in partnerships with his son, and with a businessman he knows), he goes along with his wife Eve's spending on a grand new house and lifestyle, and he falls out with his daughter Mary, who is in involved in a theatre group (which Prohack is also funding) and who would rather be poor than be told what to do by her parents. Prohack's life and business are managed to a large extent by his new private secretary, Mimi Warburton, whom he meets when their cars have a crash. Mimi and Arthur's son Charles take a shine to each other, which complicates things. Further complications arise from Prohack senior's and junior's respective relationships with Lady Maslam, a monacle-wearing, enigmatic woman of business. Prohack falls ill, and, while listening to 'Ivanhoe' on the radio, has a surreal dream in which he, a knight in armour, must deal with the chaos that now surrounds his modern life. When the stock market drops dramatically, Prohack is glad to think he will be poor again. He learns, though, that one of the schemes he has invested in has unexpectedly made a large profit from his other losses, and his fortune is regained. He donates it anonymously to the Treasury, agreeing it must be from a black-marketeer with a guilty conscience.
Genre: Comedy
Subjects: Wills, Treasury, Money
Releases
Date: 25 August 1949Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Black and White - SoundRuntime: 85 mins Length: 8190 FeetDialogue (original): English
Title: Production CreditsArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Film Industry v6 n41 10 Feb 1949 Page: 17
Title: Cast CreditsArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Today's Cinema v73 n5845 23 Aug 1949
Title: [Today's Cinema - v73 n5845 23 Aug 1949: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v16 n189 September 1949 Page: 154
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v16 n189 September 1949: no known title]Language: English
In: The Cinema Studio v3 n77 14 Sep 1949 Page: 19, supplement.
Title: [The Cinema Studio - v3 n77 14 Sep 1949: no known title]Language: English
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(15)
Accessible materials to view(4)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 7865 FeetBFI identifier: C-609490
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 8011 FeetStock date: 1988BFI identifier: C-1077065
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: D3Duration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080039
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080040
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(2)
Description: D3Duration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080039
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080040
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(13)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 8100 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-579877
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 7865 FeetBFI identifier: C-609490
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 8011 FeetStock date: 1988BFI identifier: C-1077065
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: Combined as MuteLength: 7866 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-609488
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 8007 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39890
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 4985 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39891
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 561 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39892
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 8010 FeetStock date: 1986BFI identifier: C-223096
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: SafetySound: SoundLength: 8016 FeetBFI identifier: C-777436
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 8016 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39889
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 8010 FeetBFI identifier: C-39893
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 8016 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39894
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundFeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-609489
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication
Dates: 1949 (Copyright), 10 October 1949 (Release)Country: United KingdomDirected by: Thornton Freeland
Synopsis: Comedy. High-up Treasury official Arthur Prohack is known for keeping a firm control on the handling of public money, by economising wherever possible. When he comes into an inherited fortune of a quarter of a million pounds, though, he has no idea how to cope with his personal wealth. He invests unwisely (in partnerships with his son, and with a businessman he knows), he goes along with his wife Eve's spending on a grand new house and lifestyle, and he falls out with his daughter Mary, who is in involved in a theatre group (which Prohack is also funding) and who would rather be poor than be told what to do by her parents. Prohack's life and business are managed to a large extent by his new private secretary, Mimi Warburton, whom he meets when their cars have a crash. Mimi and Arthur's son Charles take a shine to each other, which complicates things. Further complications arise from Prohack senior's and junior's respective relationships with Lady Maslam, a monacle-wearing, enigmatic woman of business. Prohack falls ill, and, while listening to 'Ivanhoe' on the radio, has a surreal dream in which he, a knight in armour, must deal with the chaos that now surrounds his modern life. When the stock market drops dramatically, Prohack is glad to think he will be poor again. He learns, though, that one of the schemes he has invested in has unexpectedly made a large profit from his other losses, and his fortune is regained. He donates it anonymously to the Treasury, agreeing it must be from a black-marketeer with a guilty conscience.
Genre: Comedy
Subjects: Wills, Treasury, Money
Releases
Date: 25 August 1949Country: United KingdomRelease type: unknownFormat: 35mm Film - Black and White - SoundRuntime: 85 mins Length: 8190 FeetDialogue (original): English
Credits
(60)
©: Pinewood Films Ltd, Production Company: Wessex Film Production, Presents: J. Arthur Rank, Released Through: General Film Distributors Ltd, Produced by: Ian Dalrymple, Associate Producer [Casting]: Dennis Van Thal, Production Manager: Raymond Anzarut, [Production Assistant]: R.L.M. Davidson, [Production Secretary]: Pamela Weaver, "The Dream" Director: Desmond Davis, Assistant Director: Geoffrey Lambert, 2nd Assistant Director: Eddie Pike, 3rd Assistant Director: Max Varnel, Continuity: Pauline Roberts, Assistant Continuity: Jean Hall, Screenplay by: Ian Dalrymple, Donald Bull, Adapted for today from the novel 'Mr. Prohack' by: Arnold Bennett, And [adapted] from the play by: Arnold Bennett, Edward Knoblock, Photography: H.E. Fowle, Camera Operator: Nigel Huke, Focus Puller: Jack Lowin, Stills Photography: Max Rosher, Special Effects: Francis Carver, Effects Cameraman: Bryan Langley, Film Editor: Sidney Stone, Assistant Editor: Bill Lenny, 2nd Assistant Editor: Humphrey Fisher, Art Director: Fred Pusey, Assistant Art Director: John Harman, Set Dresser: Anthony Farmer, Chief Draughtsman: Geoffrey Drake, Draughtsman: C.A. Robertson, Draughtsman: Len Fox, Draughtsman: Richard Henry, Alan Smith, Sketch Artist: Bill Lane, Chief Construction Manager: Ted Hughes, Costume Designer: Beatrice Dawson, Costume Supervisor: Evelyn Brierley, Ladies Wardrobe Supervisor: Dorothy Edwards, Men's Wardrobe Supervisor: Bob Raynor, Make-up: Jim Hydes, Additional Make-up: Eric Carter, Jim Rance, Hairdressing: Betty Baugh, Additional Hairdresser: Biddy Chrystal, Audrey Powell, Musical Score Composed by: Temple Abady, [Music] Directed and Conducted by: Muir Mathieson, Sound Mixer: Stan Lambourne, Boom Operator: George Paternoster, Dubbing Mixer: Gordon Mccallum, 1st Assistant Dubbing Mixer: Peter T. Davies, Sound Editor: Peter Seabourne, Sound System: Western Electric Recording, Publicity Director: Joy Raymond, Made at: Pinewood Studios
Cast
(32)
Cecil Parker (Arthur Prohack), Glynis Johns (Mimi Warburton), Hermione Baddeley (Eve Prohack), Dirk Bogarde (Charles Prohack), Sheila Sim (Mary Prohack), Heather Thatcher (Lady Maslam), Frances Waring (nursie), Charles Goldner (Polish manservant), Elwyn Brook-Jones (Mr Erivangian), Campbell Cotts (Sir Paul Spinner), Denholm Elliott (Oswald Morfrey, 'Ozzie'), Russell Waters (Cartwright), Henry Edwards (Sir Digby Bunce), Frederick Valk (Dr Veiga), James Hayter (Carrell Quire), Frederick Leister (director general), Judith Furse (Laura Postern), Bryan Forbes (Tony), Jon Pertwee (Plover), Ada Reeve (Mrs Griggs), Ian Carmichael (the hatter), Lloyd Pearson (Softly Bishop), Eric Berry (tailor's assistant), Sam Lysons (club porter), Jerry Verno (taxi driver), Charles Perry (the butler), Janet Burnell (Mr Prohack's personal assistant), Desmond Newling (pageboy), Natalie Jordan (switchboard operator), Stanelli (leader of the orchestra), Humphrey Heathcote (Turkish bath attendant), Ann Gunning (actress on ladder)
Articles held in BFI Reuben Library
(5)
In: Film Industry v6 n41 10 Feb 1949 Page: 15Title: Production CreditsArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Film Industry v6 n41 10 Feb 1949 Page: 17
Title: Cast CreditsArticle type: CreditsLanguage: English
In: Today's Cinema v73 n5845 23 Aug 1949
Title: [Today's Cinema - v73 n5845 23 Aug 1949: no known title]Language: English
In: Monthly Film Bulletin v16 n189 September 1949 Page: 154
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v16 n189 September 1949: no known title]Language: English
In: The Cinema Studio v3 n77 14 Sep 1949 Page: 19, supplement.
Title: [The Cinema Studio - v3 n77 14 Sep 1949: no known title]Language: English
Film, Video or Digital materials held in BFI National Archive(15)
Accessible materials to view(4)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 7865 FeetBFI identifier: C-609490
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 8011 FeetStock date: 1988BFI identifier: C-1077065
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: D3Duration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080039
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080040
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Video materials(2)
Description: D3Duration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080039
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Description: VHS cassetteDuration: 85.35 minutesLine standard: 625Colour standard: PALBFI identifier: C-1080040
Status: Viewing - Videotape can be requested for access
Film materials(13)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 8100 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-579877
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: CTASound: CombinedLength: 7865 FeetBFI identifier: C-609490
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm BW PositiveBase: PolyesterSound: CombinedLength: 8011 FeetStock date: 1988BFI identifier: C-1077065
Status: Viewing - Film print can be requested for access (servicing required)
Description: 35mm Dupe NegativeBase: CTASound: Combined as MuteLength: 7866 FeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-609488
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 8007 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39890
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 4985 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39891
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: NitrateSound: CombinedLength: 561 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39892
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Duplicating PositiveBase: CTASound: MuteLength: 8010 FeetStock date: 1986BFI identifier: C-223096
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Master PositiveBase: SafetySound: SoundLength: 8016 FeetBFI identifier: C-777436
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 8016 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39889
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: MuteLength: 8010 FeetBFI identifier: C-39893
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Original NegativeBase: NitrateSound: SoundLength: 8016 FeetStock date: 1949BFI identifier: C-39894
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film
Description: 35mm Re-recorded NegativeBase: PolyesterSound: SoundFeetStock date: 1989BFI identifier: C-609489
Status: Master - Restricted access to preserved film - suitable for duplication