Something Always Happens
Encyclopedia
Something Always Happens is a 1934
British film directed by Michael Powell
. It was made as a Quota quickie
.
Peter makes the company a success, much to the chagrin of Mr. Hatch, who had been hoping to buy the company. Peter hires Cynthia as a secretary, still unaware of her true identity. Billy also joins the company. When Peter learns that a bypass is going to be built, he plans to buy lots along the route before Hatch hears about it. However, George Hamlin, a fellow car salesman, betrays the plan to Hatch, who proceeds to outbid Peter's company. After Peter receives the bad news, he sees Cynthia with Hatch outside the window, and thinks that Cynthia betrayed him. When he confronts her, she reveals that she and Hatch were together because he is her father. After she leaves, Peter then learns that the bypass will not be built for another fifteen years. Assured of the last laugh, when Hatch decides to sell his holdings in town, Peter accepts the offer. After the sale, Hatch then learns of the delay, and realizes he has been a fool. Peter is then reconciled with Cynthia.
1934 in film
-Events:*January 26 - Samuel Goldwyn purchases the film rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the L. Frank Baum estate for $40,000.*February 19 - Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade...
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
Peter Middleton is an unemployed car salesman. He maintains his optimism and refuses the charity offered by his friends, saying that having no money would force him to go to work. He meets up with street urchin Billy, and together they find a room for the night. Peter has no money, but offers to pay Mrs. Badger, the landlady, tomorrow, to which she makes an exception in his case. While out trying to buy a car to sell, he meets Cynthia Hatch, and he takes her out to a restaurant, where she is known to the staff. She asks them to pretend to not know her, to play a trick on Peter. Unbeknownst to Peter, she is the daughter of the head of a petrol company, and when he says that he has a plan to make petrol stations more attractive to customers by including roadhouses, she suggests that he go to see Mr. Hatch about a job. Peter asks for change, and when the bill comes, he solves his pecuniary problem by paying it with the same money. The following day Peter takes her advice and goes to see Mr. Hatch, but Mr. Hatch turns him down, so he goes to see a rival company, which hires him. Meanwhile, Billy helps the landlady with the chores.Peter makes the company a success, much to the chagrin of Mr. Hatch, who had been hoping to buy the company. Peter hires Cynthia as a secretary, still unaware of her true identity. Billy also joins the company. When Peter learns that a bypass is going to be built, he plans to buy lots along the route before Hatch hears about it. However, George Hamlin, a fellow car salesman, betrays the plan to Hatch, who proceeds to outbid Peter's company. After Peter receives the bad news, he sees Cynthia with Hatch outside the window, and thinks that Cynthia betrayed him. When he confronts her, she reveals that she and Hatch were together because he is her father. After she leaves, Peter then learns that the bypass will not be built for another fifteen years. Assured of the last laugh, when Hatch decides to sell his holdings in town, Peter accepts the offer. After the sale, Hatch then learns of the delay, and realizes he has been a fool. Peter is then reconciled with Cynthia.
Cast
- Ian HunterIan 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 Peter Middleton - Nancy O'Neil as Cynthia Hatch
- John SingerJohn SingerJohn Singer may refer to:*John Singer , legal analyst and media commentator*Seymour Jonathan Singer, cell biologist and author*John Singer , American killed in a standoff over homeschooling*John Singer...
as Billy - Peter GawthornePeter GawthornePeter Gawthorne was an Irish actor, probably best known for his roles in Will Hay films. Gawthorne was one of Britain's most called-upon bit part actors during the 1940s and 50s....
as Mr. Hatch - Muriel GeorgeMuriel GeorgeMuriel George was an English singer and film actress. She appeared in some 55 films between 1932 and 1955.She also appeared on the variety stage and sang on radio with her husband, Ernest Butcher for thirty years...
as Mrs. Badger - Barry LiveseyBarry LiveseyBarry Livesey was a British stage and film actor. He was sometimes credited as Barrie Livesey. He was the son of Sam Livesey and the brother of the actors Roger Livesey and Jack Livesey.-Selected filmography:* The Old Curiosity Shop...
as George Hamlin
External links
- Something Always Happens reviews and articles at the Powell & Pressburger Pages