Half a Sixpence

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

29%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 7

78%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,568
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Half a Sixpence Photos

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Movie Info

British musical star Tommy Steele had starred in Half a Sixpence in London and on Broadway, thus he was first choice for this garish film version. Based on the H.G. Wells story Kipps (previously filmed in 1941 with Michael Redgrave), Half a Sixpence tells the tale of a humble London drapery clerk (Steele) who inherits a fortune. He briefly forgets his old mates and his faithful girl friend (Julia Foster), but soon discovers that High Society isn't his cup of tea. Filmed during the "monster musical" cycle fostered by The Sound of Music, Half a Sixpence isn't really suited for the spectacular approach dictated by co-producer Charles H. Schneer. Fortunately, the guiding directorial hand is the film's other producer: George Sidney, a veteran of MGM's Arthur Freed unit, who knew how to successfully weld music with story. Thanks to Sidney and star Steele, Half a Sixpence never gets too out of hand, though we'd argue with some of the eyestrain-inducing color choices in the bigger numbers. The film might have done better at the box office had the score yielded a few hit songs. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Cast

Tommy Steele
as Arthur Kipps
Julia Foster
as Ann
Cyril Ritchard
as Harry Chitterlow
Penelope Horner
as Helen
Grover Dale
as Pearce
Elaine Taylor
as Victoria
Hilton Edwards
as Shalford
Julia Sutton
as Flo
Leslie Meadows
as Buggins
Pamela Brown
as Mrs. Washington
James Villiers
as Hubert
Jean Anderson
as Lady Betting
Allan Cuthbertson
as Wilkins
Aleta Morrison
as Laura
James Bolam
as Mr. Jones
Jeffrey Chandler
as Young Kipps
Sheila Falconer
as Kate
John MacDonald
as Dancer
Humphrey Kent
as The Butler
Frank Crawshaw
as The Carter
Sonny Farrar
as Pub Character
Jane Kells
as Dancer
Donald Barclay
as Dancer
Bridget Armstrong
as The Maid
Pat Ashton
as Pub Character
Sydney Bromley
as Pub Character
Gerald Campion
as Fat Boy
Golda Casimir
as Pub Character
Pamela Cundell
as Pub Character
Roy Evans
as Pub Character
Sally Gilpin
as Dancer
Helen Goss
as Dowager
Reginald Hearne
as Policeman
Alastair Hunter
as The Postman
Caryl Little
as Dancer
Harry Locke
as Weight Guesser
Norman Mitchell
as Master of Ceremonies
George Moon
as Pub Character
Bartlett Mullins
as Carshott
Julian Orchard
as Photographer
Albin Pahernik
as Dancer
Iris Sadler
as Pub Character
Christopher Sandford
as Sid
Queenie Watts
as Pub Character
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Critic Reviews for Half a Sixpence

All Critics (7) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (2) | Rotten (5)

  • The songs themselves, trite, gay, and thoroughly meaningless, make absolutely no concession to anything that was happened in popular music the last 10 years.

    May 21, 2005 | Full Review…

    Renata Adler

    New York Times
    Top Critic

  • Not a great score, but it does have stage original Tommy Steele, a plus.

    Apr 20, 2006 | Rating: 3/5

    Steve Crum

    Video-Reviewmaster.com

  • In case you wondered why Tommy Steele never became a Hollywood star, look here.

    Nov 19, 2004 | Rating: 2/5

    Phil Hall

    Film Threat
View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for Half a Sixpence

  • Sep 08, 2007
    Half a Sixpence is a memorable Musical, but not one of the greatest. Lots of well known songs and of course Tommy Steele is the main attraction. A simple rags to riches tale with a love triangle thrown into the mix
    Lady D Super Reviewer
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