Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny & Girly (1970) Reviews

• Vanessa Howard Is A Treat

  aimless-462005-11-25

  Fans of British horror and black comedy should definitely track down this Freddie Francis film, which was not imaginatively marketed at the time of its release and was never able to connect with its proper audience. I saw this at the base theatre during my Air Force days. Most films on base only ran for one day (three shows) and this was one of a handful that drew capacity crowds to the second and third shows due to "word of mouth" praise by those who attended the first screening. If you liked Jack Hill's "Spider Baby" (1968) you will love this film as it appears to have served as Francis' inspiration. Originally titled "Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly", the title was shortened to just "Girly", appropriate since Girly is the main character. It is definitely a product of its times. Imagine mixing "The Beguiled" with the television shows "The Avengers" and "The Prisoner". Francis was primarily a television director. Like those shows, much of the humor comes from presenting extreme characters and situations as if there they are nothing exceptional. In this case a nutty family of four (insert original title here) which includes a brother and sister far to old for their school uniforms. Vanessa Howard plays the title character with a lot of sizzle and will remind viewers of Tisha Sterling, especially Sterling's portrayal of Ma Parker's daughter Legs on the Batman television show. She has a lot of fun with this role alternating instantly between playful child, coquettish flirt, and violent psychopath. Howard is a genuinely fine actress, although in "Girly" her short skirts and provocative scripting make it hard to concentrate on her acting skills. This happy family lives on a large estate just outside London and amuse themselves by luring men there to serve as the children's playmates in various games supervised by Mumsy (Ursula Howells) and Nanny (Pat Heywood). When these new friends outlive their usefulness they are dispatched in novel ways and "sent to the angels". The last new friend believes himself a murderer and in time actually wants to become part the family, or anything else involving Girly. This sets things up for a cute twist at the end as Francis examines the fragility of sanity. The best scene is a slick little seduction sequence around the pool table. As the new friend looks on Howard places a doll in each pocket and calmly circles the table, driving a ball into each doll's face. At the same time she keeps up a monologue about the punishment her playmate will receive if he should try to leave. Very cool. Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

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• Creepy madness!!!

  frightfan1999-07-03

  Understated British psychodrama with no effects to speak of, just lots of creepy dialogue, tension and madness - not even any nudity and only implied sex, very little at that. Twisted little tale of a mad little "family" that will engross, humour, disgust and terrify you. Mmmm .... yummy.

• Disturbing... but fun...

  henr8y2000-11-03

  Wow, what can I say. This film was made from an old English play and, to say the least, what kind of sick mind could write something like this? I LOVE IT!!! A twisted family without a father figure lives secluded in an extremely large lot with a mansion to live in. It never tells how they make money or buy groceries, but those are insignificant. There's Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny and Girly who all live a happy (crazy) life. Luring homeless men to the mansion to be playmates for the children and if they step-out-of-line, WHACK, they are sent on a "train to the angels." The funniest thing about this movie, I think, is the Siamese Anthem.

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• A very black horror comedy from Hammer favourite Freddie Francis.

  UnholyOne2007-09-24

  A very black horror comedy from Hammer favourite Freddie Francis. Mumsy and Nanny live with Mumsy's children, Sonny and Girly, in a neo Gothic mansion. This dysfunctional family love their children's games which are mostly conducted in strange baby talk. Sonny and Girly also have another game they love to play, they coax young men back to the house to join the fun, then when they tire of their new 'playmates' they kill them. However their latest 'friend' has a few tricks of his own up his sleeve. He realises the best way to survive is to divide and conquer, he does this by sleeping with all the women. Filmed in the familiar and instantly recognisable Oakley Court (a fixture of many British horror films including The Old Dark House and Monster Of Terror) this rare British horror film stars Ursula Howells, Pat Heywood, Howard Trevor and the excellent Vannessa Howard as the titular family, with Michael Bryant as the disruptive 'new friend'. It also features the beautiful but ultimately tragic Imogen Hassall, a classically trained actress who could never quite shake off her glamour girl reputation and committed suicide aged 38 in 1980. The film starts with Sonny and Girly meeting a homeless man, Soldier, on a park bench. They take him home and dress him as a schoolboy and feed him jelly for tea. When they tire of him they chop off his head during a game of 'Oranges And Lemons'. But when they bring 'new friend' home the family starts to turn on itself (Nanny's head ends up in a pot on the stove). I was reminded of both Spider Baby and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre at times. Although the cast is more than adequate it is Vanessa Howard who stands out as Girly (the title was shortened to just 'Girly' in the U.S.) Although once thought lost the film is now in the public domain and I've just ordered a new DVD to replace my old VHS copy. Well worth tracking down. 7/10

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• Deliciously mean spirited and morbidly comical British offering

  EyeAskance2005-05-28

  Mumsy and Nanny have RULES. ...this applies to "the children" as well as the playmates they bring home...hapless unfortunates lured to the family's sprawling estate, where etiquette and proper grammar facade some very grisly goings on-- fun and games, wherein "playmates" become "slaymates" at the hands of Mumsy, Nanny, Sonny, and Girly. A wonderfully grim jab to the funny bone, this droll little shocker deserves a more prominent spot in the annals of cult cinema. Performances are A+ all the way around, especially from the juvenile leads, and the direction and camera-work are meritorious. Catch this one wherever possible, above-average(and decidedly VERY British)lunacy you don't want to miss. 7.5/10

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