Where There’s a Will (1955) – Nostalgia Central

When an old West Country farmer dies suddenly, and apparently without a will, a trio of his Cockney relatives gather at the ramshackle Devon farm to claim their share of the estate.

The trio are Alfie Brewer, a Turkish bath attendant, and his two sisters, Amy and Maud.

Eldest brother Alfie (Leslie Dwyer) has farming in his blood and is determined to become a farmer and run the place himself.

Amy (Thelma Ruby) is married to Fred Slater (George Cole) – a spiv out to get all he can as quickly and easily as possible – and the pair think there is more money to be made by turning the land into a caravan site.

However, the widowed eldest sister, Maud Hodge (Dandy Nichols) and her attractive daughter, June (Ann Hanslip), just want their share in cash.

The claim of dubious relative “Mafeking” Brewer (Edward Lexy) is quickly settled on payment of a few pounds, but neighbour Squire Stokes (Philip Ray) has a mortgage on the farm and intends to foreclose.

Stokes’s son, Ralph (Edward Woodward in his film debut), falls for June and offers to help, and so does Annie Yeo (Kathleen Harrison), the housekeeper at the farm, if Alfie will marry her.

Red tape from the Ministry of Agriculture adds to their troubles, but a will is eventually found, bequeathing Windrush Farm to housekeeper Annie. Alfie promptly accepts her proposal.

This rustic romp is faithfully adapted from R F Delderfield’s successful stage play.

Annie Yeo
Kathleen Harrison
Fred Slater
George Cole
Alfie Brewer
Leslie Dwyer
June Hodge
Ann Hanslip
Mr Cogent
Michael Shepley
Maud Hodge
Dandy Nichols
Amy Slater
Thelma Ruby
‘Cagey’ Narracott
Norman MacOwan
Lawyer Arscott
Hugh Morton
‘Mafeking’ Brewer
Edward Lexy
Ralph Stokes
Edward Woodward
Squire Stokes
Philip Ray
Jeep Driver
Sam Kydd
Porter
Bill Shine

Director
Vernon Sewell