I’m Alright Jack

8/2/2019 Im Alright Jack

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John & Roy.

Heavens Above (1963), Lucky Jim (1957), Brothers in

Law (1957)......

All films, together with Im Alright Jack, share similar

theme

A gentle critique of a variety of social institutions.


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First films in 1930s.

Both Socialists.Had fought in Spanish Civil war in

International Brigade against GeneralFranco.

Carnage and stupidly of both sidesinfluences their later development.


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Caused great controversy.

Rubbed people up from all sides of thepolitical spectrum.

Some saw it as attack on Trade Unions.

Others that it attacked British Traditions.


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People ques around the corner to see it.

Even mentioned in Parliament.

Why?


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Newly-graduated upper class StanleyWindrush is looking for a job but failsmiserably at interviews

His uncle, Bertram Tracepurcel and oldfriend, Sidney DeVere Cox persuade him

to take an unskilled job at Uncle Bertram'smissile factory


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Communist shop steward, Fred Kite, eventually takesStanley under his wing and even takes him in as alodger. When Kite's curvaceous daughter drops by,Stanley readily accepts.

Meanwhile in the factory a time and motion study expertis hired to see to measure how efficient the employeesare.

The workers refuse to cooperate but Windrush is trickedinto doing much more than other experiencedemployees.


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When Kite is informed of the results, he calls a strike to protect therates his union workers are being paid.

The strike leads to an important arms contract being lose, butacutually Bertram wants this to happen as his friend, Cox, will takeover the order at Union Jack Foundries at increased cost.

They will share the difference.

Things dont go to plan. Cox finds out his workers have also gone on

strike.


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In the press there are reports that Kite is punishing Windrush forworking hard.

Windrush decides to cross the picket line and go back to work (andreveals his connection with the company's owner), Kite asks him toleave his house.

This provokes the adoring Cynthia and her mother to go on strike.More strikes spring up, bringing the country to a standstill.

Situation is solved by Windrush taking all the blame and being askedto leave by both factory owners and by Kite and the union.

The film ends with Windrush relaxing in a nudist colony where hisfather already lives.


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Ian Carmichael

Irene Handl

John Le Mesurier


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Margaret Rutherford

Terry Scott

Terry-Thomas


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The post war consensus: Society fit for heros1. EconomicConservatives accepted of the nationalisation of major industries,while Labour tacitly accepted limits on the amount of futurenationalisation.


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There was an acceptance by both parties, dating back to the 1944 WhitePaper, of full employment and the need for government economic action,if necessary, to realise it.

There was an acceptance that the trade unions had an important role toplay and should be consulted over economic policy.


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Rab Butler Hugh Gaitskell

A catchy word for consensus over economic policy wascoined in the 1950s

Butskellism.


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2. Social Policy

There was an acceptance

by the Conservative Partyof the welfare state, withrelatively little deviationfrom the patternestablished in 1945-1948.


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There was also adeveloping consensusthat, sooner or later,

most of Britainsremaining colonieswould become

independent


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Conservatives in Power 1951-1964

The Conservatives' tacit acceptance of many of Labour's policies

constrained their ability to bring in radical change.

Domestically, therefore, they aimed to differentiate themselvesfrom Labour as much as possible where they could, whilereassuring the voters that the welfare state was safe inConservative hands.

In addition, no major challenges would be mounted to the tradeunions or nationalised industries.

Th t d i t t d


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The trade unions were treatedsoftly.

Walter Monckton, the Minister of

Labour (from 1951-1955),preferred to settle industrialdisputes by negotiation, and hasbeen seen as encouraging wageincreases.

But actually Monckton's goodrelations with union leaders mayhave contributed to continuedwage moderation.


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Th fi t l t ti


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The first nuclear power station,Calder Hall, started operation in1956

Britain's first motorway, astretch of the Ml, was opened in1959.

Both were given great publicity.

I’m Alright Jack

Documents

Transcript of I’m Alright Jack