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Diana Dors Double Bill: Miss Tulip Stays the Night + The Great Game
A delicious double-dose of effervescent vintage comedy-drama starring Britain's blondest bombshell, the one-and-only Diana Dors, at her saucy best.
Laughter and thrills mingle in MISS TULIP STAYS THE NIGHT as gorgeous Kate Dax (Dors) and her crime-writer husband, Andrew (Patrick Holt), investigate the murder of eccentric spinster Miss Tulip (Cicely Courtneidge) at a remote country cottage.
With the help - or hindrance - of bumbling P.C. Feathers (deftly played by British comedy legend Jack Hulbert), will they ever crack their crazy case and finally figure out whodunit? Goals and glamour go together in THE GREAT GAME, a high-scoring drama of football league corruption, shot on location at Griffin Park, historic home of Brentford F.C. With fine performances from James Hayter as Burnville United's unscrupulous team chairman, Thora Hird as his long-suffering assistant, and Dors enjoying herself as man-eating secretary Lulu not to mention a splendid eyeball-rolling turn from John Laurie - the final result is a nostalgic Saturday afternoon treat for movie buffs and football fans alike.
Special Features
- Both films newly transferred to High Definition
- Extensive fully illustrated booklet featuring essays, credits and biographical information
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
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These two films present me with a conundrum. As 1950's British supporting films they are probably better than average and are reasonably entertaining to watch. However, as showcases for the unique and delightful talent that was Diana Dors they fall very far short of the mark. It's ironic to think that Diana, who was labelled as Britain's Marilyn Monroe at the time, was saddled with material of this kind whilst Marilyn was appearing in vehicles like 'Niagara' and 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes' which showcased her to excellent advantage.
Of these two, Diana fares best in 'Miss Tulip stays the night', a comedy thriller with a plot so complicated that you probably need to watch it twice to sort it out (I did!). Diana is attractively costumed and displays an innocent but knowing wit. I thought she acted well in her scenes with her screen husband Patrick Holt. According to the very good booklet with the DVD, the film underwent extensive editing before release and this probably explains the difficulties with the plot. It was good to see Jack Hulbert and his wife Cicely Courtneidge re-united on the screen, and also Joss Ambler in a larger role than normal as the police inspector.
'The Great Game' is really a starring vehicle for character actor James Hayter, and to a lesser extent Thora Hird, who are both very good. The younger female lead is actually Sheila Shand Gibbs as the wife of the footballer (Glyn Houston)at the centre of the transfer scandal. Diana appears as Lulu, the office girl, and looks great, delivering her few funny lines, mostly concerning her various boy friends, with aplomb. The problem is her lack of screen time, which is mainly in the first fifteen minutes. For long stretches of the film she doesn't appear at all!
The BFI must be congratulated on the quality of the restorations of each film, the image is sharp and crystal clear. It's evident from the notes that these were the last 'programmer' type films in which Diana appeared, shortly after completing 'Miss Tulip' she filmed 'A Kid for two farthings' which led the way to some better roles, especially 1956's 'Yield to the Night' in which she gives one of the best performances of any actress ever in my opinion. That's a film I can watch over and over just to see her magic! I'm very glad to have these films, especially 'Miss Tulip' because I can remember it being shown on ITV in the early 1960's (and never on TV since!). Diana Dors' fans will definitely want them, as will I guess football fans for the nostalgic look at professional football in the early 50's (there are many references to Glyn Houston earning £14 a week!!!)
I recommend these two films as well worth a view, even if they are a little disappointing for Dors fans.
Of these two, Diana fares best in 'Miss Tulip stays the night', a comedy thriller with a plot so complicated that you probably need to watch it twice to sort it out (I did!). Diana is attractively costumed and displays an innocent but knowing wit. I thought she acted well in her scenes with her screen husband Patrick Holt. According to the very good booklet with the DVD, the film underwent extensive editing before release and this probably explains the difficulties with the plot. It was good to see Jack Hulbert and his wife Cicely Courtneidge re-united on the screen, and also Joss Ambler in a larger role than normal as the police inspector.
'The Great Game' is really a starring vehicle for character actor James Hayter, and to a lesser extent Thora Hird, who are both very good. The younger female lead is actually Sheila Shand Gibbs as the wife of the footballer (Glyn Houston)at the centre of the transfer scandal. Diana appears as Lulu, the office girl, and looks great, delivering her few funny lines, mostly concerning her various boy friends, with aplomb. The problem is her lack of screen time, which is mainly in the first fifteen minutes. For long stretches of the film she doesn't appear at all!
The BFI must be congratulated on the quality of the restorations of each film, the image is sharp and crystal clear. It's evident from the notes that these were the last 'programmer' type films in which Diana appeared, shortly after completing 'Miss Tulip' she filmed 'A Kid for two farthings' which led the way to some better roles, especially 1956's 'Yield to the Night' in which she gives one of the best performances of any actress ever in my opinion. That's a film I can watch over and over just to see her magic! I'm very glad to have these films, especially 'Miss Tulip' because I can remember it being shown on ITV in the early 1960's (and never on TV since!). Diana Dors' fans will definitely want them, as will I guess football fans for the nostalgic look at professional football in the early 50's (there are many references to Glyn Houston earning £14 a week!!!)
I recommend these two films as well worth a view, even if they are a little disappointing for Dors fans.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this for The Great Game that was made at Merton Park Studios and have been waiting for it to come out on BFI films for a long time. I think that both films here are well worth having for the content, the number of well known faces and the good restoration that has been achieved. Miss Tulip is an oddity but the story of the filming as detailed in the excellent booklet places the finished film into context nicely. To see James Hayter at his best is sheer joy and Thora Hird, wonderful as always. Diana Dors looks very glamourous and there is even a picture of her taken outside the stage at MPS (sadly, long gone). These are well worth buying and the price of the DVD is very reasonable considering the work spent restoring and the lovely booklet included. More please...
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
Great must for Diana Dors Fans a great double bill and fantastic value for money.
They don't make films like these anymore, unfortunately.
The sound and picture quality are superb.
They don't make films like these anymore, unfortunately.
The sound and picture quality are superb.
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