| Director | Arthur B. Woods |
|---|---|
| Producer | Irving Asher |
| Writer | John Dighton Reginald Purdell |
| Starring | Henry Kendall Joyce Kirby |
| Cinematography | Basil Emmott |
| Distributor | Warner Brothers-First National Productions |
| Released | March 1937 |
| Runtime | 57 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The Compulsory Wife is a 1937 British quota quickie comedy film, directed by Arthur B. Woods and starring Henry Kendall and Joyce Kirby.[1] It was written by John Dighton and Reginald Purdell.
Preservation status
The British Film Institute has classed The Compulsory Wife as a lost film.[2] Its National Archive holds a collection of ephemera but no film or video materials.[1]
Plot
Farcical complications arise when a pair of strangers have to spend a night alone together in a country cottage when their hosts are detained in town. Overnight all their luggage is stolen by a burglar, leaving them with nothing but their nightclothes. Then the next morning their hosts and the other guests start arriving.
Cast
- Henry Kendall as Rupert Sinclair
- Joyce Kirby as Bobbie Carr
- George Merritt as Thackeray
- Margaret Yarde as Mrs. Thackeray
- Robert Hale as Craven
- Agnes Lauchlan as Mrs. Craven
Reception
The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Introducing time-honoured trappings of near-farce, action has moments of amusing fun, punning dialogue, and usual misunderstandings, while Joyce Kirby gives piquant portrayal in lead. Acceptable light quota support."[3]
Kine Weekly wrote: "It wouid be unfair to dwell too critically on this production, which has obviously been made for quota purposes and has no pretensions to compete as entertainment with pictures made with a definite box-office appeal. Even as a minor contribution from a British studio it is palpably weak in story value, while the semi-facetious dialogue is irritating. Its attraction can only be assessed as extremely limited."[4]
Picturegoer wrote: "Henry Kendall struggles valiantly with a role which puts him in impossible situations, and he does not get a lot of help from the rest of the cast. ... Direction and production are very weak.[5]
Picture Show wrote: "It is artificial and fairly amusing."[6]
References
- ^ "The Compulsory Wife". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Eyles, Allen & Meeker, David (eds.) (1992). "The Compulsory Wife". Missing Believed Lost: The Great British Film Search. British Film Institute. p. 78. ISBN 0851703062.
- ^ "The Compulsory Wife". The Daily Film Renter. ' (3121): 4. 25 March 1937.
- ^ "The Compulsory Wife". Kine Weekly. 242 (1563): 26. 1 April 1937.
- ^ "The Compulsory Wife". Picturegoer. 7: 24. 4 August 1937.
- ^ "The Compulsory Wife". Picture Show. 37 (954): 20. 7 August 1937.
External links
- The Compulsory Wife at IMDb
- The Compulsory Wife at BFI Film & TV Database