Where There's a Will (1955 film)

Where There's a Will is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Vernon Sewell and starring Kathleen Harrison, George Cole and Leslie Dwyer. The screenplay was by R. F. Delderfield who adapted one of his own plays.

A family from east London take over a farm in the Devon countryside.

Plot
When their uncle dies without leaving a will, his farm passes to his nephew and two nieces, disappointing his housekeeper, Annie Yeo. While the nieces wish to sell the place, the nephew, Alfie Brewer, has ideas of setting up as a farmer. Facing the hostility of his family, and some of the locals, he attempts to improve the farm before its mortgage is called in.

Production
Sewell called it "a charming movie" which "made a lot of money'.

Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Where There's a Will has been adapted from a stage farce, and no attempt has been made to disguise the film's origins. Although the cast works energetically at a script which contains all the old town-and-country jokes, only George Cole manages to amuse occasionally with 'his performance as the brother-in-law."

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "This sporadically charming fish-out-of-water comedy sees a family of cockneys moving to the Devon countryside when they inherit a run-down farm. Director Vernon Sewell manages a few sty touches, as local housekeeper Kathleen Harrison tries to whip the work-shy Londoners into shape. George Cole gives his rent-a-spiv character another airing, and there's a young Edward Woodward lurking among the bit players."

TV Guide called it a "harmless comedy with some charming touches."

Leslie Halliwell said: "Slight comedy with pleasant players."