The Scamp

The Scamp is a 1957 British drama film directed by Wolf Rilla and starring Richard Attenborough, Terence Morgan, Colin Petersen and Dorothy Alison. It was based on the play Uncertain Joy by Charlotte Hastings. It was released in the U.S. as Strange Affection.

Synopsis
A schoolteacher and his wife take in the tempestuous child of an abusive drifter. When the father returns, their lives become complicated by issues of corporal punishment, physical abuse, strained relations and various crimes.

Cast

 * Richard Attenborough as Stephen Leigh
 * Dorothy Alison as Barbara Leigh
 * Colin Petersen as Tod Dawson
 * Terence Morgan as Mike Dawson
 * Jill Adams as Julie Dawson
 * Maureen Delany as Mrs. Perryman
 * Margaretta Scott as Mrs. Blundell
 * David Franks as Eddie
 * Geoffrey Keen as headmaster
 * Charles Lloyd-Pack as Beamish
 * June Cunningham as Annette
 * Sam Kydd as shopkeeper
 * Victor Brooks as Inspector Birch

Critical reception
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "Having made his name in the Australian-set drama Smiley [1956], contemporary critics had high hopes for ten-year-old Colin Petersen. He tries hard in this well intentioned story of a delinquent given a second chance, but he never convinces either as the urchin son of alcoholic music-hall actor Terence Morgan or as the confused kid cajoled by teacher Richard Attenborough and his wife Dorothy Alison. Attenborough overdoes the bourgeois benevolence."

TV Guide wrote, "Shaky direction and a cliche-ridden script mar any possibilities for this human interest story"; whereas Leonard Maltin called it a "Decent British drama."

Box office
According to Kinematograph Weekly the film was "in the money" at the British box office in 1957.