The Perfect Woman (1949 film)

The Perfect Woman is a 1949 British farce comedy film directed by Bernard Knowles and written by George Black, Jr and J. B. Boothroyd, based upon a play by Wallace Geoffrey and Basil Mitchell. The screenplay concerns a scientist who creates a robotic woman in his lab.

Plot
Ramshead, a butler, tells his lazy and currently broke master, Roger Cavendish, that he is broke. They search the newspaper for potential work.

Professor Ernest Belman has placed an advert in the Times seeking help. They phone and arrange to meet.

The professor has created a woman robot in his lab based on his niece, Penelope.

Cavendish appears for interview (with his butler). They are tasked with looking after his robot, Olga, for a week but are told they must never say the word "love" in front of it.

When Penelope's date cancels, the housekeeper Buttercup suggests she pretend to be the robot. Cavendish and Ramshead take her to a hotel and stay in the bridal suite, sparking many rumours amongst the staff. Cavendish's rich aunt arrives and thinks he has married. The robot is sent to help to explain things.

Cast

 * Patricia Roc as Penelope Belman
 * Stanley Holloway as Ramshead
 * Nigel Patrick as Roger Cavendish
 * Miles Malleson as Professor Ernest Belman
 * Irene Handl as Mrs. Butters (Buttercup), the professor's housekeeper
 * Anita Sharp-Bolster as Lady Diana (as Anita Bolster)
 * Fred Berger as Farini
 * David Hurst as Wolfgang Winkel, the hotel waiter
 * Pamela Devis as Olga the Robot
 * Jerry Verno as Football Fan On Underground
 * Johnnie Schofield as Ticket Collector
 * Philippa Gill as Lady Mary
 * Jerry Desmonde as Dress shop manager
 * Dora Bryan as Model in shop
 * Noel Howlett as Scientist

Original play
The original play debuted on 11 September 1948 and ran for 224 performances.

Production
Producers George and Alfred Black were sons of a famous producer.

Roc made the film after spending several months in Paris, where she made Retour and The Man on the Eiffel Tower. Roc was under contract to J. Arthur Rank at the time. Filming took place in January 1949. The film was shot in 38 days at only three-quarters of its budgeted cost. It was made at Denham Studios with sets designed by James Elder Wills.

Pamela Devis was cast as the robot because of her resemblance to Roc.

Reception
Roc left the Rank organisation before the film was released. The film was released on a double bill, and given a West End screening. However it proved popular and made a profit.

Two Cities' executive producer Earl St John hoped to reunite Holloway, Patrick and Roc for a sequel, The Perfect Man. However no film resulted.

Television version
The BBC broadcast a live adaptation of the Geoffrey and Mitchell play in the Sunday Night Theatre slot on 6 May 1956.