Spikeopath Meet Mr. Lucifer is directed by Anthony Pelissier and adapted to screenplay by Monja Danischewsky from Arnold Ridley's (later to play private Godfrey in the long running situation comedy) Dad's Army) play (Beggar My Neighbour). It stars Stanley Holloway, Peggy Cummins, Jack Watling, Barbara Murray, Joseph Tomelty, Humphrey Lestocq and Gordon Jackson. Music is by Eric Rogers and cinematography by Desmond Dickinson.Out of Ealing Studios, Meet Mr. Lucifer is one of that great studio's lesser lights. Homing in on a sort of fear of the new home entertainment of the 50s, that of the TV set, plot features a television set that moves from owner to owner and causes nothing but trouble for said owners. This of course is the work of Old Nick himself, here essayed with a glint in his eye by Holloway. Sadly the attempts at satire miss the mark, leaving us with a somewhat uneven mix of comedy and seriousness. On the plus side it opens the eyes to the iffy quality on the TV in the early 50s, while there's a roll call of fine British actors in the supporting (cameo) slots.Interestingly the Ealing hierarchy were very wary of the themes at the core of the picture, which explains why Pelissier was fetched in to direct. Knowing they themselves were uncommitted to the production goes some way to explaining the flat feel to it all. 5/10

howardmorley This film resonated with me being born in 1946 whose family first had a Murphy t.v.set in 1954 with its single BBC channel.Previously, my father had to drive us to his sister's house she shared with my paternal grandmother whose family already had bought a TV in 1953 on which we all saw the Queen's coronation that year.In the early part of 1954 we too had a roomful of neighbours & friends who did not possess a t.v. but who wished to view the novelty of watching t.v.London Live t.v. channel in the London area where I live are currently transmitting a collection of Ealing films mainly from the 40s & 50s and although I watch new ones whenever possible, "Meet Mr. Lucifer" had passed me by previously.This film had a galaxy of well known film stars which you can glean from the full cast list on IMDb.com.My favourite was seeing the late Kay Kendall playing "Miss Lonely Hearts Club" although I suspect it was not her voice that was dubbed onto the soundtrack.Very enjoyable I rated it 7/10.

malcolmgsw This film ,made in 1953,is largely forgotten.It is a misfiring satire.At the time this film was released TV was about to make a substantial impact on cinema audiences as a result of the Coronation.By 1960 cinema audiences had dropped by two thirds from their post war high and thousands of cinemas were closing.Also,just 3 years after this film was made Ealing studios themselves were closed and purchased by the BBC.Also those music halls that had managed to struggle on finally closed their doors in the late 50s.So i am afraid that Michael Balcon was just spitting in the wind by trying to tell people that television was a bad influence.The film is quite entertaining ,particularly Gordon Jackson playing very much against type.

ShadeGrenade Interesting curio from Ealing Studios. Based on a play by Arnold Ridley ( better known as 'Private Godfrey' from 'Dad's Army' ), 'Meet Mr.Lucifer' is a whimsical fantasy warning of the potential dangers of television. In 1953, few people in Britain had sets, but its popularity was on the rise, and film makers such as Michael Balcon were worried enough to make a movie of this kind. Stanley Holloway is 'Sam Hollingsworth', a drunken actor reduced to playing 'The Devil' in a tatty pantomime version of 'Robinson Crusoe', and even that is doing poor trade as audiences are staying at home and watching the goggle box.After a few drinks during the interval, Sam goes back on stage, only to be knocked unconscious as he tries to use the trapdoor. He imagines he is in Hell itself, where the Devil - also played by Holloway - claims that the wheel and the telephone were both inventions of his to make everyone's lives miserable, and the television is his latest idea. But it is not doing the job quick enough, so Sam is recruited as Satan's helper.We then follow the lives of a group of people as a television set changes their lives for the worse. First up is 'Mr.Pedelty' ( Joseph Tomelty ) who gets a set as a retirement gift. He becomes obsessed by the thing, watching anything and everything. When there is a dancing programme on, he invites people in off the street and gives them free drinks ( all obtained on credit from his local pub ). As the debts mount, he decides he has had enough and so bequeathes it to a young couple ( Jack Watling and Peggy Cummins ). He is studying to become a chemist, and her television viewing habits spoil his concentration. To save their relationship, they pass the set on to Hector McPhee ( Gordon Jackson ), who becomes infatuated by a beautiful singer ( Kay Kendall ) known only as 'The Lonely Hearts Girl'...It is not the programmes that come under attack, but the medium itself. Its power as a force for good is barely mentioned, making this a bit one-sided. My biggest complaint is that there is too little of Stanley Holloway. The film is only really engaging when he is around. Also, the satire - if that's the right word - could have been stronger. I suppose television had not been around long enough for a major assault on the medium to be justifiable. Fun cameos from Ian Carmichael and Joan Sims, plus celebrities of the time such as Gilbert Harding and MacDonald Hobley. Eric Rogers - of 'Carry On' fame - did the music, and some of it was reused in 'Carry On Spying' ( 1964 ). Just before the end credits roll, the film takes a pot-shot at 3-D movies!