British Comedy Guide
Last Holiday. Image shows from L to R: Mrs. Poole (Kay Walsh), George Bird (Alec Guinness)
Last Holiday

Last Holiday

  • 1950 film

Alec Guinness-starring Ealing comedy about a man who is told he doesn't have long to live. Also features Beatrice Campbell, Kay Walsh, Bernard Lee, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Muriel George and more.

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Last Holiday. Image shows from L to R: George Bird (Alec Guinness), Miss Mellows (Helen Cherry). Copyright: STUDIOCANAL

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
1950
Stars
Alec Guinness, Beatrice Campbell, Kay Walsh, Bernard Lee, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Muriel George, Helen Cherry, Jean Colin and more
Writer
J. B. Priestley
Director
Henry Cass
Producers
Stephen Mitchell, A. D. Peters and J. B. Priestley
Company

George Bird is a mild-mannered salesman who has been told by his doctor that he only has a short time left to live. Determined not to waste his final days, he decides to spend all his savings living life to the full at a hotel by the British seaside.

Once there, George embarks on a winning streak at croquet, poker and the horses that attracts the attention of his fellow guests, curious about the wealthy mystery man in their midst. George, however, feels more at home with the maids and clerks, including the no-nonsense housekeeper Mrs. Poole.

Frustrated at his sudden upturn in luck as he is about to run out of time, George finds solace in organising the guests and hotel manager's co-operation to put on an evening's food and entertainment when a sudden wildcat strike takes all the other staff off-shift for 12 hours. The group bond further in the Blitz spirit but Bird is understandably unable to fully relax.

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Additional details

UK certificate
U
Duration
89 minutes
UK release
Monday 15th May 1950
UK premiere
Wednesday 3rd May 1950
Distributors

Associated British Pathe

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Black and white

Website links

Broadcast details

Most recent repeats
  • Monday 19th July 2021 at 3:00pm on TPTV
  • Tuesday 30th March 2021 at 9:00pm on TPTV
  • Thursday 7th January 2021 at 7:15pm on TPTV

Recording details

  • Welwyn Studios

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