The Birthday Present
Synopsis
Returning from a business trip, toy salesman Simon Scott is caught attempting to smuggle a wristwatch bought for his wife's birthday through Customs. He is arrested and, due to a bungled defence by his solicitor, obliged to serve a three-month prison sentence. It is only the beginning of his woes; his employer, Colonel Wilson, is understanding, but he is ultimately forced to sack Simon, who discovers that finding another job under such circumstances is extremely difficult. But Colonel Wilson is determined to help his former employee find a solution.
Top Cast
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Tony Britton
Simon Scott
Sylvia Syms
Jean Scott
Jack Watling
Bill Thompson
Walter Fitzgerald
Sir John Dell
Geoffrey Keen
Colonel Wilson
Howard Marion-Crawford
George Bates
John Welsh
Chief Customs Officer
Ian Bannen
Junior Customs Officer
Lockwood West
Mr. Barraclough
Harry Fowler
Charlie
Frederick Piper
Careers Officer
Cyril Luckham
Magistrate
Thorley Walters
Photographer
Ernest Clark
Barrister
Fanny Rowe
Secretary
Malcolm Keen
Bristow
Arnold Bell
Green (uncredited)
Victor Brooks
2nd Reception Officer (uncredited)
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Pat Jackson
- Screenplay & Story
- Jack Whittingham
- Original Score
- Clifton Parker
- Original Title
- The Birthday Present
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 40m
- Production Studios
- British Lion Films
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Pat Jackson
Jack Whittingham
Clifton Parker
Edward Scaife
Jocelyn Jackson
Jack Whittingham
Department Leadership Roster
Jack Whittingham
Writer
Jocelyn Jackson
Editor
Pat Jackson
Director
Jack Whittingham
Producer
Edward Scaife
Director of Photography
Clifton Parker
Original Music Composer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
International Certification Matrix
Universal — Suitable for all audiences.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Birthday Present.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Birthday Present
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Birthday Present about?
Returning from a business trip, toy salesman Simon Scott is caught attempting to smuggle a wristwatch bought for his wife's birthday through Customs. He is arrested and, due to a bungled defence by his solicitor, obliged to serve a three-month prison sentence. It is only the beginning of his woes; his employer, Colonel Wilson, is understanding, but he is ultimately forced to sack Simon, who discovers that finding another job under such circumstances is extremely difficult. But Colonel Wilson is determined to help his former employee find a solution.
Who directed The Birthday Present?
The Birthday Present was directed by Pat Jackson.
Who stars in The Birthday Present?
The principal cast of The Birthday Present includes Tony Britton, Sylvia Syms, Jack Watling, Walter Fitzgerald, Geoffrey Keen.
When was The Birthday Present released and how long is it?
The Birthday Present was released in 1957 with a total runtime of 1h 40m.
Who composed the musical score for The Birthday Present?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Birthday Present was composed by Clifton Parker.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Birthday Present?
The Birthday Present holds official age classifications: GB: U (Universal — Suitable for all audiences.).