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RomanceDrama

Once a Jolly Swagman

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A factory worke quits his job to become a motorcycle racer.

Release Date : 1949-02-02

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : Wessex Film Productions

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles : Maniacs on Wheels

Cast

Dirk Bogarde

Character Name : Bill Fox

Original Name : Dirk Bogarde

Gender : Male

Bonar Colleano

Character Name : Tommy Possey

Original Name : Bonar Colleano

Gender : Male

Bill Owen

Character Name : Lag Gibbon

Original Name : Bill Owen

Gender : Male

Renée Asherson

Character Name : Pat

Original Name : Renée Asherson

Gender : Female

Thora Hird

Character Name : Ma Fox

Original Name : Thora Hird

Gender : Female

James Hayter

Character Name : Pa Fox

Original Name : James Hayter

Gender : Male

Patric Doonan

Character Name : Dick

Original Name : Patric Doonan

Gender : Male

Moira Lister

Character Name : Dotty Liz

Original Name : Moira Lister

Gender : Female

Sid James

Character Name : Rowton

Original Name : Sid James

Gender : Male

Dudley Jones

Character Name : Taffy

Original Name : Dudley Jones

Gender : Male

Pauline Jameson

Character Name : Mrs. Lewis

Original Name : Pauline Jameson

Gender : Female

Cyril Cusack

Character Name : Duggie

Original Name : Cyril Cusack

Gender : Male

Anthony Oliver

Character Name : Derek

Original Name : Anthony Oliver

Gender : Male

Russell Waters

Character Name : Mr. Pusey

Original Name : Russell Waters

Gender : Male

Sandra Dorne

Character Name : Kay Fox

Original Name : Sandra Dorne

Gender : Female

Stuart Lindsell

Character Name : Mr. Yates

Original Name : Stuart Lindsell

Gender : Male

Frederick Knight

Character Name : Chick

Original Name : Frederick Knight

Gender : Male

Michael Kent

Character Name : Solicitor

Original Name : Michael Kent

Gender : Male

Cyril Chamberlain

Character Name : Reporter

Original Name : Cyril Chamberlain

Gender : Male

June Bardsley

Character Name : W.A.A.F. Flight Sergeant

Original Name : June Bardsley

Gender : Male

Jennifer Jayne

Character Name : Autograph Seeker (uncredited)

Original Name : Jennifer Jayne

Gender : Female

Edward Judd

Character Name : Cheering Crowd Member (uncredited)

Original Name : Edward Judd

Gender : Male

Sam Kydd

Character Name : Johnny Briggs (uncredited)

Original Name : Sam Kydd

Gender : Male

Andrea Lea

Character Name : Guest at Chelsea Party (uncredited)

Original Name : Andrea Lea

Gender : Male

Miriam Lehmann-Haupt

Character Name : Guest at Chelsea Party (uncredited)

Original Name : Miriam Lehmann-Haupt

Gender : Female

Reviews

C

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-07-09

Aside from the odd rendition of "Waltzing Matilda" - I am unsure as to the reason for the title, but don't be put off - it's about speedway not swag (or sheep). Dirk Bogarde is at his most alluring as "Bill", a man who gets laid off from his job testing lightbulbs and who takes up the sport of dirt-track speedway. Discovering he has a bit of a penchant for it, he is soon earning £90-a week and but for the intervention of WWII could have been a true champion. After the war, though, his wife "Pat" (Renée Asherson) gives him an ultimatum despite him struggling to get so much as a milk round to make ends meet. Which path will he choose? It's got a strong supporting cast this - James Hayter, Moira Lister, Bill Owen, Sid James, Thora Hird and Bonar Colleano - and there is just enough race action to give us an indication that this was an hugely popular, and pretty dangerous sport that saw crowds of tens of thousands turn up in the hope of some excitement. The romantic shenanigans clutter it up a bit, especially his "Lister" period, but it's predominately quite a well made, fast moving, drama that touches subtly on the lack of opportunities for many a soldier after demobilisation.