George in Civvy Street is a 1946 British comedy film directed and produced by Marcel Varnel starring George Formby with Ronald Shiner, and Ian Fleming. It was made by the British subsidiary of Columbia Pictures. This was Formby's last big screen appearance. After the film was unsuccessful at the box office, he resumed his career in the music hall. The working title for the film was "Remember the Unicorn".
Plot summary
This comedy film portrays George Formby leaving the forces and becoming a village pub owner, who works to turn a waitress from her current boss, a rival pub owner. Formby falls in love with the waitress, and various battles ensue between the pub rivals.
Cast
George Formby as George Harper
Rosalyn Boulter as Mary Colton
Ronald Shiner as Fingers
Ian Fleming as Uncle Shad
Wally Patch as Sprout
Philippa Hiatt as Lavender
Enid Cruickshank as Miss Gummidge
Robert Ginns as Crabtree
Mike Johnson as Toby
Frank Drew as Jed
Daphne Elphinstone as Mitzi Montrose
Johnny Claes as himself
Ronnie Scott as Band member
Rita Varian as Mrs Brindle
Critical reception
According to TV Guide, the film is "lifeless farce", and a "tasteless romp". A reviewer for Sky Movies wrote, "the partnership of music hall favourite George Formby and director Marcel Varnel (who also turned out the best of the Will Hay and Arthur Askey comedies) was looking distinctly jaded after six movies in a row. And despite a formidable array of four new writers, this stale comedy about pub rivalry, ended Formby's screen career on a low note".