Mr. Chedworth Steps Out is a 1939 Australian comedy film directed by Ken G. Hall starring Cecil Kellaway. Kellaway returned to Australia from Hollywood to make the film, which features an early screen appearance by Peter Finch.
It was the fifteenth feature film from Hall and Cinesound Productions. It was released in the United States by Astor Pictures Corp. in 1943, retitled as Forged Money.
Plot summary
A mild-mannered clerk, George Chedworth, is married to the snobbish, nagging Julie, and has four children: gambling addict Arthur, beautiful Gwen, teenage singer Susie and young Fred. Chedworth lends money to Arthur to cover his gambling debts to a bookmaker, and is persuaded by the bookmaker on a long-shot wager. Chedworth is then fired from his job after 24 years of service. He is given a compensatory employment as a night watchman, and stumbles upon some money hidden by gangsters and an old printing press.
Chedworth uses the money to improve his situation. He wins a fortune from an accidental racing bet and from some apparently worthless gold mining shares sold to him by some crooks, including Arthur's boss Leon Fencott. Chedworth moves into a large house, unaware the money he discovered was counterfeit. Fencott is the head of the forgers.
When Arthur tries to pass off one of his forged bank notes to Fencott, the gangsters come after the money and kidnap Chedworth. They are arrested by Brian Carford, a federal agent who has been romancing Gwen and watching Chedworth to see if he is a forger. Chedworth gets to keep his legitimate fortune and Susie wins a singing competition.
Cast
Cecil Kellaway as George Chedworth
James Raglan as Brian Carford
Joan Deering as Gwen Chedworth
Rita Pauncefort as Julia Chedworth
Jean Hatton as Susie Chedworth
Peter Finch as Arthur Chedworth
Rodney Jacobs as Fred Chedworth
Sidney Wheeler as Leon Fencoff
Ronald Whelan as Benny
Leslie Victor as Leslie
Cecil Perry as Maguire
Charmaine Ross as Ada Fencott
Harvey Adams as Mason
Ben Lewin as Welch
Barrett Lennard as Perse Faulkner
Field Fisher as bailiff
Letty Craydon as Mrs Blundell
Les Warton as Sole Barnes
Phil Smith as estate agent
Production
Development
The script was based on the English novel, Mr Chedworth Hits Out (1936) by F Morton Howard.
It was intended as the first of a projected £200,000 five-film program by Cinesound Productions, the others being Gone to the Dogs (1939), Robbery Under Arms, The Further Adventures of Dad and Dave (which became Dad Rudd, MP 1940), and The Haunted House. Robbery Under Arms and The Haunted House were never made.
The film was specifically designed as a vehicle for Cecil Kellaway. He had been working in Hollywood following the success of It Isn't Done (1937) but agreed to come back to Australia especially to make the film at the request of Ken G. Hall. "He was getting much more money than we had offered him but he felt that he owed us something", said Hall.
Kellaway was under contract to RKO so Cinesound had to get their permission to borrow him for the film. It was thought this was the first time the Hollywood studios had done that for one of their actors to appear in an Australian film. He was borrowed for four months.
Kellaway later said he was attracted to the lead role: <blockquote>It is the part of a human being, not a screen stereotype, for 'Mr. Chedworth' is fighting a battle of circumstances. A lonely, down-trodden little man, he is fighting to uphold his inner better self. It will carry a message to every home, because it depicts the strange fact that it is in our homes we find our harshest critics. There is drama and comedy delightfully combined, when George Chedworth, reclaiming himself as a man, becomes at last the head of his house, and . . . 'steps out!</blockquote>
Support roles
The part of Cecil Kellaway's youngest daughter was played by Jean Hatton, a young singer who was brought to the attention of Ken G. Hall after she won a Deanna Durbin talent quest. She was signed by Cinesound to a long-term contract, later appearing in Come Up Smiling. Her part in the film was written especially for her. She sings two songs during the film's climax, "If It Rains, Who Cares" and "Lo, Hear the Gentle Lark", which was staged in a massive 40-foot set build for the film replicating a radio station.
Rita Pauncefort, who plays Kellaway's nagging wife, was a highly experienced actor of stage and film. She had first acted opposite Cecil Kellaway in South Africa in 1914.