Lord Richard in the Pantry
| Lord Richard in the Pantry | |
|---|---|
Trade Show advertisement | |
| Directed by | Walter Forde |
| Written by | |
| Based on | Play by
|
| Starring | |
Production company | Julius Hagen Productions |
Release date |
|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $85,000[1] |
| Box office | $300,000[1] |
Lord Richard in the Pantry is a 1930 British comedy film directed by Walter Forde and starring Richard Cooper, Dorothy Seacombe and Marjorie Hume.[2][3] It was written by H. Fowler Mear and Sidney Gilliat based on the 1919 play by Sydney Blow and Douglas Hoare[4][5], itself adapted from the 1911 novel by Maurice Nicoll (as Martin Swayne).
Preservation status
No print of the film is known to exist, and it is included on the British Film Institute's "75 Most Wanted" list of missing British feature films.[6]
Plot summary
Lord Richard Sandridge has fallen on hard times, and is obliged to rent out his Berkeley Square mansion to Sylvia Garland, an attractive widow. In disguise, he takes a job as her butler, and she falls in love with him.
Cast
- Richard Cooper as Lord Richard Sandridge
- Dorothy Seacombe as Sylvia Garland
- Marjorie Hume as Lady Violet Elliott
- Leo Sheffield as Carter
- Frederick Volpe as Sir Charles Bundleman
- Barbara Gott as Cook
- Alexander Field as Sam
- Viola Lyel as Evelyn Lovejoy
- Gladys Hamer as Gladys
Reception
Film Weekly wrote: "You will be amused by Lord Richard in the Pantry a well turned-out and very effective comedy. Walter Forde needs no introduction as a director, and here he proves that he can be just as fanny in handling another comedian as in producing himself."[5]
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Uproarious comedy which will draw big money to the box office. Masterly adaptation of stage success, excellently acted by Richard Cooper and a fine cast, and directed by Walter Forde. ... The cast has been chosen with great skill, so that each individual part adds its quota of laughs to one of the most happy efforts that ever came out of a British studio. Richard Cooper, of course, as Lord Richard, easily walks off with the giant's share of honours. ... There seems to be no question at all but that the picture will be a winner with the public."[7]
Kine Weekly wrote: "A well-acted farce of good quality, adapted from the stage success, which takes some little time to warm up, but once it gets going it is crisp and even, and leads to a succession of laughable situations. Richard Cooper is excellent in the leading role and is one of the main contributors to the picture's success. ... Walter Forde, the producer, has been a little laboured in his treatment of the opening scenes, and it is some time before the plot is really clear, but once the introductory episodes are over, the farce unfolds with an easy sweep."[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b "English Making Money". Variety. 17 September 1930. p. 57.
- ^ "Lord Richard in the Pantry". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Lord Richard in the Pantry (1930)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009.
- ^ "Lord Richard in the Pantry". Theatricalia.com. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Lord Richard in the Pantry". Film Weekly. 5 (124): 29-30. 28 February 1931. ProQuest 1705105904.
- ^ "Lord Richard In The Pantry / BFI Most Wanted". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ^ "Lord Richard in the Pantry". The Daily Film Renter (1081): 6. 25 July 1930. ProQuest 3130672930.
- ^ "Lord Richard in the Pantry". Kine Weekly. 161 (1215): 30. 31 July 1930. ProQuest 2320392477.
External links
- BFI 75 Most Wanted entry, with extensive notes
- Lord Richard in the Pantry at IMDb