This sparkling Launder-Gilliat comedy has a well-bred Englishman (Rex Harrison) waking in a hotel bedroom in a fishing village in Wales suffering from amnesia.
He sets out to find his identity, and with the help of “brain specialist” Professor Llewellyn (Cecil Parker), he tracks down his successful fashion photographer wife, Monica (Kay Kendall), in their lovely house in Hampstead.
But he soon learns that the hush-hush job at the Ministry of Munitions she sees him leave for every morning does not exist.
When he discovers that he is, in fact, the perfect husband (six times over), he is appalled by his past and brought to court for bigamy – of which he has no recollection.
Such is his charm that all his normally intelligent wives pay for his defence and declare they would gladly take him back. Even his glamorous counsel, Miss Chesterman (Margaret Leighton) – who brilliantly delivers his defence – is obviously inspired by her warm personal feelings towards the prisoner.
Cecil Parker and George Cole are excellent in their wittily-written roles as a psychiatrist and a tempestuous Italian, respectively.
It’s bright, saucy and, at times, a riot.
The Patient
Rex Harrison Professor Llewellyn
Cecil Parker Nurse
Sally Lahee Monica
Kay Kendall Lola
Nicole Maurey Bridget
Valerie French Ann
Ursula Howells Joanna
Jill Adams Elizabeth
Roma Dumville Jack Carter (The Best Man)
Robert Coote JF Hassett (The Boss)
Raymond Huntley Gladys
Noel Hood Papa Sopranelli
Eric Pohlmann Moma Sopraneli
Marie Burke Luigi Sopranelli
George Cole Giorgio Sopranelli
Derek Sydney Stromboli
Guy Deghy Miss Chesterman, Counsel for the Defence
Margaret Leighton Mr Fortescue, Counsel for the Prosecution
Eric Berry The Judge
Michael Hordern Mr Daniels (Solicitor)
Charles Lloyd Pack Clerk of the Court
Arthur Howard Clara
Muriel Young Gladys
Noel Young Secretary
John Robinson Left Luggage Attendant
Michael Ripper
Director
Sidney Gilliat
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The Patient
Ann
Jack Carter (The Best Man)
