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.

 First

films in 1930s. Both Socialists. Had fought in Spanish Civil war in International Brigade against General Franco.
Carnage

and stupidly of both sides influences their later development.

 Caused Rubbed

great controversy.

people up from all sides of the political spectrum. saw it as attack on Trade Unions. that it attacked British Traditions.

Some

Others

 People Even

ques around the corner to see it.

mentioned in Parliament.

Why?

 Newly-graduated

upper class Stanley Windrush is looking for a job but fails miserably at interviews uncle, Bertram Tracepurcel and old friend, Sidney DeVere Cox persuade him to take an unskilled job at Uncle Bertram's missile factory

His

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

Meanwhile in the factory a time and motion study expert is hired to see to measure how efficient the employees are. The workers refuse to cooperate but Windrush is tricked into doing much more than other experienced employees.

When Kite is informed of the results, he calls a strike to protect the rates his union workers are being paid. The strike leads to an important arms contract being lose, but acutually Bertram wants this to happen as his friend, Cox, will take over 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.

In the press there are reports that Kite is punishing Windrush for working hard. Windrush decides to cross the picket line and go back to work (and reveals his connection with the company's owner), Kite asks him to leave 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 asked to leave by both factory owners and by Kite and the union. The film ends with Windrush relaxing in a nudist colony where his father already lives.

Ian Carmichael

Irene Handl

John Le Mesurier

Terry Scott

Margaret Rutherford

Terry-Thomas

The post war consensus: Society fit for heros

1. Economic Conservatives accepted of the nationalisation of major industries, while Labour tacitly accepted limits on the amount of future nationalisation.

There was an acceptance by both parties, dating back to the 1944 White Paper, 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 to play and should be consulted over economic policy.

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

Butskellism.

Rab Butler

Hugh Gaitskell

2.

Social Policy

There was an acceptance by the Conservative Party of the welfare state, with relatively little deviation from the pattern established in 1945-1948.

There was also a developing consensus that, sooner or later, most of Britains remaining colonies would become independent

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 themselves from Labour as much as possible where they could, while reassuring the voters that the welfare state was safe in Conservative hands. In addition, no major challenges would be mounted to the trade unions or nationalised industries.

The trade unions were treated softly. Walter Monckton, the Minister of Labour (from 1951-1955), preferred to settle industrial disputes by negotiation, and has been seen as encouraging wage increases. But actually Monckton's good relations with union leaders may have contributed to continued wage moderation.

Modernisation
In 1955 there had been a huge scheme to update the railways, the Modernisation Plan, whose excesses had to be reined in after a few years. But while it is tempting to poke fun, the plan was a serious attempt to modernise part of Britain's infrastructure.

The first nuclear power station, Calder Hall, started operation in 1956

Britain's first motorway, a stretch of the Ml, was opened in 1959. Both were given great publicity.