Better Late Than Never (1983 film)

Better Late Than Never
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBryan Forbes
Written byBryan Forbes
Story byGwen Davis
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyClaude Lecomte
Edited byPhillip Shaw
Music byHenry Mancini
Production
company
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release date
  • 15 April 1983 (1983-04-15)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Box office$24,164

Better Late Than Never is a 1983 British comedy film directed by Bryan Forbes and starring David Niven, Art Carney and Maggie Smith. The soundtrack features songs by Henry Mancini and Noël Coward.[1]

Plot

Nick (Niven) is the supposed grandfather of 10-year-old Bridget (Partridge), who stands to inherit a sizeable fortune. Charley (Carney) shows up and claims that he is the genuine grandpa. Both men once slept with Bridget's grandmother, and she was never certain which of the two produced her child. Neither Nick nor Charley are good prospects, so Bridget must choose from the lesser of two evils.

Principal cast

Actor Role
David Niven Nick Hartland
Art Carney Charley Dunbar
Maggie Smith Miss Anderson
Catherine Hicks Sable
Lionel Jeffries Bertie
Melissa Prophet Marlene
Kimberley Partridge Bridget
Jean-Pierre Castaldi Doctor

Production

Forbes previously offered Carney's role to William Holden, whose agent persuaded him to decline because the fee offered was too small. During the shoot Holden died following an accident while drinking, and Forbes wrote in 1992 that if Holden had made the film he "might have been alive today."[2] Bob Hope was also approached for the role, and Ralph Richardson for the part of the lawyer (ultimately played by Lionel Jeffries).[3]

The working title was Ménage à trois.[4][5] Filming took place near Niven's home on Cap Ferrat.[6] It was the first time Niven sang on screen, and the last film where his own voice would be heard.[4][a] Forbes and producer David Niven Jr. both noticed the star's difficulty walking and speaking during production; when it persisted, he underwent tests and was diagnosed with ALS.[8]

Release

The film was first shown in Britain on BBC1 on Christmas Day 1983.[9]

Reception

Leslie Halliwell dismissed the film: "Would-be risqué comedy which fails to spark despite the talents involved."[10] In his autobiography, Forbes refers to it in passing as "a slight comedy".[11] Smith's biographer Michael Coveney calls it "thoroughly mawkish... a strong contender for Maggie's worst film":

The mechanics of the comedy are pretty hopeless and an overall air of shoddiness is not dispelled by some attractive locations in the South of France nor by the Niven character's bottom-chasing antics on the beach... Mixed in with the awful soundtrack by Henry Mancini and a charmless child actor, the film leaves a sour taste in the mouth.[12]

Notes

  1. ^ In Curse of the Pink Panther, Niven was dubbed.[7]

References

  1. ^ Better Late Than Never (1982) – Soundtracks
  2. ^ Forbes 1993, p. 17.
  3. ^ Morley 1985, pp. 492–493.
  4. ^ a b Morley 1985, p. 492.
  5. ^ Munn, Michael (2009). David Niven: The Man Behind the Balloon. New York: JR Books. p. 216. ISBN 978-1-906779-67-2.
  6. ^ Morley 1985, p. 493.
  7. ^ Francisco, Charles (1986). David Niven: Endearing Rascal. New York: St. Martin's Press. pp. 287–288, 303. ISBN 0-312-90095-3.
  8. ^ Morley 1985, pp. 493–498.
  9. ^ Waymark, Peter (24 December 1983). "Christmas television and radio". The Times. No. 61721. p. 17.
  10. ^ Halliwell, Leslie (1993). Walker, John (ed.). Halliwell's Film Guide (9th ed.). London: HarperCollins. p. 110. ISBN 0-00-255349-X.
  11. ^ Forbes 1993, p. 125.
  12. ^ Coveney, Michael (1992). Maggie Smith: A Bright Particular Star. London: Victor Gollancz Ltd. pp. 212–213. ISBN 0-575-05188-4.

Bibliography


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