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The Green Man
The Green Man“A professional assassin who prides
  himself on ridding the world of pompous,
  self-important people takes on an
  assignment that seems to be fraught
  with problems, misunderstandings and
  hindrances in the hugely-entertaining
  1956 black comedy classic The Green
  Man...”

DISCOVERING THE ELATION HE FEELS while getting rid of arrogant egotistical people at Embrook House Preparatory School when he dispenses with the "abominable" headmaster by putting explosives in his inkpot, Hawkins (the utterly versatile Alastair Sim: A Christmas Carol; School for Scoundrels) realises he has found his vocation in the newly-restored version of the classic 1956 British comedy-noir The Green Man.

As a professional assassin, he is paid to purge the world of those considered a thorn in the side of others; but his chosen role in life is interrupted by the war, during which time he becomes an apparently innocuous clockmaker, repairing antique timepieces; returning to his original career as a hit man once hostilities cease.

“The Green Man
has a terrific cast from
a marvellous post-war era
playing for laughs,
a murder plot, and
a skilfully-crafted script
that together make
this fine, light-hearted
film a true, fascinating,
1950s-era gem...”
Hawkins is faced with a challenging and frustrating task when he agrees to take out the self-centred philanderer MP Sir Gregory Upshott (a suitably haughty Raymond Huntley: Night Train to Munich) and he romances his intended victim's personal assistant Marigold (Avril Angers) to check Sir Gregory's movements while planning his victim's demise.

Marigold tells Hawkins that her married boss is taking one of his employees, the lovely Joan Wood (Eileen Moore) away for a naughty weekend to The Green Man hotel at Newcliffe. Hawkins arranges to stay at the same hotel, preparing an explosive device to be left in one of the public rooms.

Unfortunately he has slipped up and a worried Marigold smells a rat, telling him she is going to come round to see him at his home to get some answers. In a pure slapstick farce, Hawkins ensures she goes to the wrong house where his assistant is waiting to dispose of her. Pianos will never look the same to me!

The house next door has been empty, awaiting the marriage of Hawkins' soon-to-be neighbours Ann Vincent (Jill Adams: Private's Progress) and BBC announcer Reginald Willoughby Croft (a masterful Colin Gordon), but the couple turn up at the wrong time and meet hapless vacuum cleaner salesman William Blake (the superb George Cole: The Happiest Days of Your Life).

William is supposed to be demonstrating his latest product to Hawkins' housekeeper Mrs Bostock (Doris Yorke) but he is, of course, at the wrong house.

A comedy of errors follows, throwing the wedding into doubt when Reginald finds his fiancée in an innocent but compromising position. A wonderful Fifties conversation here when Ann offers to hang pictures and Reginald says "No, I know where I want them"!

Ann and William uncover the plot by sifting through several scenarios and head to The Green Man, where hit-man Hawkins is waiting to put his dastardly deed into action.

A case of mistaken identity with a man with the improbable name of Charles Boughtflower (the incredible Terry-Thomas: School for Scoundrels) takes up precious time but, as the film moves towards its explosive climax, will they be able to prevent Hawkins from carrying out his evil plan?

Produced at Shepperton Studios, England, The Green Man has a terrific cast from a marvellous post-war era playing for laughs, a murder plot, and a skilfully-crafted script that together make this fine, light-hearted film a true, fascinating, 1950s-era gem. A welcome addition to the Vintage Classics Collection that showcases iconic British films, The Green Man has been painstakingly restored using up-to-the-minute technology; an must-watch companion piece to Ealing's The Ladykillers (1955).

Alastair Sim and George Cole also star in the upcoming Laughter in Paradise, due to be released later in the year as part of the Vintage Classics Collection.

The Green Man also features: The fabulous Dora Bryan as hotel receptionist Lily; John Chandos as McKechnie; Arthur Brough as The Landlord; Arthur Lowe as The Radio Salesman; Cyril Chamberlain as Sergeant Bassett; and a fine Richard Wattis as The Doctor.

Music Composed by Cedric Thorpe Davie, Conducted by Muir Mathieson and Played by Sinfonia of London; Director of Photography is Gerald Gibbs; Produced by Frank Lauder and Sidney Gilliat; Associate Producer is Leslie Gilliat; The BAFTA-Nominated Screenplay is by Sidney Gilliat and Frank Lauder (The Lady Vanishes) from their play Meet A Body; and Directed by Robert Day (The Avengers).

* The Green Man is part of the Vintage Classics Collection and is released in the UK by STUDIOCANAL as a newly restored version on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital on 18 May 2020. Certificate: U | Running Time: 80 Minutes Approximately | Year: 1956.

DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Extras: New: Alastair Sim and The Green Man by Stephen Fry | New: Interview with cultural historian Mathew Sweet | Those British Faces: Alastair Sim | Behind the Scenes and Portraits Stills Gallery.

"The Green Man has a terrific cast from a marvellous post-war era playing for laughs, a murder plot, and a skilfully-crafted script. A fine light-hearted film in true, fascinating, 1950s style" — **** Maggie Woods, MotorBar
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