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The Nanny [1965]


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Bette Davis, the Nanny from Hell!
Review date: 2008-10-25 Rating: 8 out of 10

An apparently wicked 10 year old boy is released from an institution for allegedly killing his younger sister, and, once ensconced in the middle class family home, the film explores the tensions between him and the family's Nanny... Is he really evil or is there something about the nanny we (or his parents) don't know? Bette Davis is superb as the sinister Nanny,in a performance remisnicent of her roles in 'Whatever happened to Baby Jane' and 'Hush hush sweet Charlotte.' And Wendy Craig is effective as the neurotic, dependent mother.But perhaps the best performance is the young Seth Holt's as the troubled boy, Joey. This is a great Hammer film and a rejoinder to its detractors, proof that the studio could produce well scripted quality thrillers besides churning out seemingly endless (and sometimes corny) Frankenstein and Dracula sequels.

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Reviews


An interesting psychological drama
Review date: 2008-02-17 Rating: 8 out of 10

The Nanny is 90 minutes of psychological drama and is a very clever and watchable movie.

The basic story is that a 10 year old boy (Joey) is released from some kind of mental institution/care home and is returned to his upper crust family. However, he remains an extremely troublesome (and sometimes funny) little character. His sister died in a drowning accident a few years back and it looks like he's culpable to some extent. He's also extremely paranoid of the nanny (Bette Davis) and is convinced that she's trying to poison him. The two clearly don't get on and the plot unravels from there.

This film has a Alfred Hitchcock feel to it (even in its use of music) and also has some shades of Kathy Bates in Misery. I wasn't aware that the legendary Bette Davis had worked with the Hammer team until I came across this film.

Overall, a very watchable 90 or so minutes.

The only downside is that it's in black and white.

PS. There's a mistake in the synopsis as Joey's mother doesn't die in this film.

Full of 'edge of your seat' suspense!
Review date: 2007-03-01 Rating: 10 out of 10


So many people associate Wendy Craig with comedy roles only; many are either too young, or simply don't remember that she once played along side such diverse actors and Hollywood Greats as Dirke Bogarde and Bette Davis. In this - probably her greatest movie, she gives an award-winning performance as the neurotic wife of a handsome Queen's Messenger (played by James Villiers) with a disturbed ten-year old son.

This movie could not go wrong with such a strong cast which included so many familiar greats as; Maurice Denham, Pamela Franklin and Jill Bennett to mention just one or two. Each actor gives their best in this gripping thriller from the outset. This movie is not least made so great by no less than three wonderfully talented child stars of the day - a feat that cannot be matched today, partly due to the fact that the age of the traditional child star has long left us... Angharad Aubrey, who plays the little dead girl 'Suzy' in flashbacks is exceptionally talented at such a tender age, but surprisingly is never seen in movies again... Not so surprising I suppose, when one considers that William Dix who plays 'Joey' disappeared just a couple of years later, along with Pamela Franklin who vanished from the silver screen never to return in around 1976!

This movie was difficult to get hold of when on video release, and was only ever done on DVD as a 'double' feature release with 'The Blue Lamp' which was a cheap and nasty way of issuing any Great British classic - until recently that is.

I think the least one is told about this film, the better; the viewer is best kept completely in the dark in order to enjoy it at its best. It's certainly a movie I've savoured in my collection; having viewed it no less now than thirty times to date, and still not tired!

There's nothing worse than an American attempting an English accent, or the other way round if not truly accomplished, but here, Bette Davis surpasses herself when she acts and sounds truly British. (one ought to note that it is far more difficult to 'drop' an American accent, than it ever is to pick one up) Even the smaller supporting roles are taken by well-known actors such as Alfred Burke and Harry Fowler, and Jill Bennett thoroughly enjoys herself in her dramatic role as the sickly sister; she always said that her idea of heaven was forever rehearsing - what a time she must have had here! Think about that one when you watch her in 'The Nanny'!

A Great British thriller not to be missed!

"What HAPPENED!!"
Review date: 2007-02-17 Rating: 8 out of 10

An excellent chiller here from Hammer (1965) crisply shot in black and white, Bette Davis, for once underplays her role as a family Nanny to an affluent London household. With a superb and solid British supporting cast including Wendy Craig and Jill Bennett. Young William Dix plays the 10 year old boy. There will be no spoilers here, however credit has to go to Jill Bennett as 'Aunt Penn' whose acting is excellent and soon discovers 'Nanny' is not all she seems to be...
Chilling and disturbing.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Wendy Craig
Bette Davis
Jill Bennett

Creators:
Jill Bennett (Primary Contributor)
Bette Davis (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Optimum Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Optimum Home Entertainment
EAN: 5060034577508
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2007-01-29
Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 89 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1965
Language: English (Original Language)

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