Lazybones is a 1935 British film directed by Michael Powell

Michael Powell (director)

Michael Latham Powell was a renowned English film director, celebrated for his partnership with Emeric Pressburger...

. It was made as a Quota quickie

Cinematograph Films Act 1927

The Cinematograph Films Act of 1927 was an act of the United Kingdom Parliament designed to stimulate the declining British film industry.-Description:...

.

Plot

Sir Reginald Ford (Ian Hunter

Ian Hunter (actor)

Ian Hunter was a British character actor.Among dozens of film roles, his best-remembered appearances include That Certain Woman with Bette Davis, The Adventures of Robin Hood , The Little Princess and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...

), known as "Lazybones", is an idle baronet. He hasn't a care in the world, although he doesn't have any money either. His brother and sister introduce him to Kitty McCarthy (Claire Luce), an American heiress, in the hope that he'll marry her and so gain access to her fortune which will help out his family.

Kitty's cousin Mike (Bernard Nedell

Bernard Nedell

Bernard Jay Nedell was an American film actor. He appeared in 50 films between 1916 and 1972. He was born in New York, New York and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:* The Serpent...

) and brings Kitty the bad news that she's lost her fortune. Mike is hoping to grab the maps for some Arabian

Arabian Peninsula

The Arabian Peninsula is a land mass situated north-east of Africa. Also known as Arabia or the Arabian subcontinent, it is the world's largest peninsula and covers 3,237,500 km2...

 oil fields that are being kept in the house. They are being guarded by two detectives and everybody chasing everybody else whilst trying to get the plans makes an amusing sub-plot.

Back in the main story line, Reginald has discovered that he loves Kitty for herself and doesn't care about her not having a fortune. So they get married, despite the warnings from a pessimistic passer-by who they call in as a witness. Neither of them are broke, but it takes a lot to run the old family pile. Kitty has bought a pub

Public house

A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...

 and Reginald and Kitty have some fun serving the regulars there.

Back at the family seat Reginald has found a way to make money from all the other idle members of the English aristocracy. He sets up a "Home for the Idle Wealthy" and they come to stay (for a fee) and act as butler, gardener, chauffeur etc.

Production

This was made at a time when the studios used to work through the night and the leading actors were both in plays in London. So after their evening performance they would come out to Twickenham to shoot their parts. And the film was about someone who's meant to be idle!

Cast

• Claire Luce as Kitty McCarthy
• Ian Hunter
  Ian Hunter (actor)
  Ian Hunter was a British character actor.Among dozens of film roles, his best-remembered appearances include That Certain Woman with Bette Davis, The Adventures of Robin Hood , The Little Princess and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...
  
   as Sir Reginald Ford
• Sara Allgood
  Sara Allgood
  -Biography:Allgood was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her sister was actress Maire O'Neill.Allgood began her acting career at the Abbey Theatre and was in the opening of the Irish National Theatre Society, appearing in many of their plays all over Britain...
  
   as Bridget
• Bernard Nedell
  Bernard Nedell
  Bernard Jay Nedell was an American film actor. He appeared in 50 films between 1916 and 1972. He was born in New York, New York and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:* The Serpent...
  
   as Mike McCarthy
• Michael Shepley
  Michael Shepley
  Michael Shepley , was a British actor, appearing in films and some television between 1931 and 1961....
  
   as Hildebrand Pope
• Bobbie Comber
  Bobbie Comber
  -Selected filmography:* Brother Alfred * There Goes Susie * Lilies of the Field * Be Careful, Mr. Smith * Sporting Love * A Romance in Flanders * The Singing Cop -External links:...
  
   as Kemp
• Denys Blakelock as Hugh Ford
• Mary Gaskell as Marjory Ford
• Pamela Carne as Lottie Pope
• Harold Warrender
  Harold Warrender
  Harold Warrender was a British film actor.His father was Sir George Warrender, 7th Baronet.-Selected filmography:* Leave It to Blanche * Lady in Danger * Mimi * Lazybones...
  
   as Lord Melton
• Miles Malleson
  Miles Malleson
  William Miles Malleson was an English actor and dramatist, particularly known for his appearances in British comedy films of the 1930s to 1960s. Towards the end of his career he also appeared in cameo roles in several Hammer horror films, with a fairly large role in The Brides of Dracula as the...
  
   as Pessimist
• Fred Withers as Richards
• Frank Morgan
  Frank Morgan
  Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
  
   as Tom
• Fewlass Llewellyn
  Fewlass Llewellyn
  -Selected filmography:* Goodbye * The Lady Clare * The Flag Lieutenant * Afterwards * Virginia's Husband * The Outsider * These Charming People * Lloyd of the C.I.D....
  
   as Lord Brockley
• Paul Blake
  Paul Blake
  Paul Blake is the current Chairman of the British Basketball League, succeeding Vince Macaulay-Razaq in 2006, as well as working as the current Managing Director of the Newcastle Eagles basketball franchise....
  
  as Viscount Woodland

External links

• Lazybones reviews and articles at the Powell & Pressburger Pages