The Happy Family (1952 film) facts for kids

The Happy Family is a funny British movie from 1952. It was directed by Muriel Box and stars Stanley Holloway, Kathleen Harrison, and Naunton Wayne. The story is about a family who really don't want to move their home. Their house is in the way of a big event called the Festival of Britain. In the United States, this movie is also known as Mr. Lord Says No. It's based on a play by Michael Clayton Hutton.

The Story of The Happy Family

A Family's Quiet Life Disrupted

The movie takes place in 1951. The Lord family owns a grocery shop called "House of Lords." It's located on the South Bank of the river Thames in London. Right next door, the Royal Festival Hall is being built for the Festival of Britain. It's a very noisy construction site!

Lillian Lord runs the shop. Her husband, Henry, is a train driver for British Railways. He has worked there for over 30 years. Henry is about to retire and dreams of a peaceful life. He wants to spend his retirement at the shop, looking after his pet hare named Winston. However, Lillian's sister, Ada, who believes in spirits, has a strange feeling. She sees "men in black" in her visions, bringing trouble.

The Government's Big Plan

Suddenly, a man named Filch arrives. He is a senior civil servant, which means he works for the government. He wears a black suit, just like Ada's vision! Filch explains that he is in charge of the Festival of Britain. The festival is due to start in just six weeks.

He tells the Lord family that there's been a mistake in the plans. Their shop and house must be torn down. This is to make way for an entrance route to the festival. Filch promises them money and a new house in South Harrow. He thinks this will solve everything easily.

The Lords Say No!

But the Lord family does not want to leave their home. Henry demands £6 million to move. He got this number by thinking about how much money the Festival of Britain is expected to make. Filch leaves, hoping to either pay them off later or force them to move.

Filch didn't realize how much the Lords loved their home. It was a symbol of safety and family to them. They had been through tough times in the past. To stop the eviction, the Lords ask for help from politicians. They talk to their councillor, the mayor, and their local MP.

Fighting for Their Home

Eventually, they are sent to the official in charge of the festival. He insists that the demolition must happen. The family receives official eviction notices. The demolition is set to begin in a few days. But the Lords are not scared. They declare they would rather go to jail than move to South Harrow.

When political help doesn't work, the family decides to fight back. Their daughter's fiancé, Cyril, encourages them. They start building barricades around their house. They get ready to stop the government from forcing them out.

A Public Stand

When the time comes, Filch demands they leave, but they refuse. A BBC broadcaster named Maurice Hennessey joins them. He is hoping to become famous by reporting on their story. He starts telling the outside world everything that is happening.

Filch brings many police officers. They try to storm the shop. But the family throws things and flour bombs at them, driving them away. After the attack fails, Filch starts a long siege. He hopes to make the family run out of food and give up.

The Lord family becomes very famous. People from all over the world support them. This puts a lot of pressure on the government workers. They are desperate to finish the festival on time.

A Happy Ending

Even with all the support, the Lords start to run out of food. Just as they are about to give up, Filch arrives. He announces good news! The Prime Minister himself has stepped in. The architects have changed the plans. Now, the road will go around the shop, saving it from being torn down.

The movie ends with the family, including Winston the hare, enjoying a fun day at the Festival of Britain. Ada, the spiritualist aunt, is seen happily floating into the clouds.

Cast of Characters

Making the Movie

This film was released in 1952, one year after the real Festival of Britain took place in 1951. The movie was first called South Bank Story. Later, its name was changed to The Happy Family.