PIMLICO IS THE HOME OF HILARITY! TO FUN! TO LAUGHTER!

When a document dating back to the 15th century is found in Pimlico, it is read as evidence that the London neighborhood is legally still part of Burgundy, France.

One of the classic Ealing comedies arrived the same year as Kind Hearts and Coronets and Whisky Galore! and was loosely based on real events. As the conflict between Pimlico and the British government escalates, the story becomes increasingly absurd (without losing its warmth) and serves as an illustration of postwar rationing and a discussion of what it means to be English.

Kind-hearted, charming satire, with a game cast, including Margaret Rutherford as a professor.

1949-U.K. 85 min. B/W. Directed by Henry Cornelius. Screenplay: T.E.B. Clarke. Cast: Stanley Holloway (Arthur Pemberton), Margaret Rutherford (Hatton-Jones), Betty Warren (Connie Pemberton), Hermione Baddeley, Barbara Murray, Basil Radford, Naunton Wayne, Michael Hordern. 

Trivia: Alastair Sim was first offered the part that went to Rutherford.

Last word: “[Cornelius] was an extraordinary man but very, very difficult. He had a vicious tongue and he would humiliate you in front of the extras. He and [producer] Michael Balcon used to have the most terrible set-tos at the studio, which I used to secretly enjoy because you love to see a bully taken down.” (Murray, Empire Magazine)