The Happiest Days of Your Life

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The Happiest Days of Your Life

1950

1h 21m

Comedy

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3 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

During World War II, the all-girls St. Swithins school is evacuated from London to avoid the Blitz. Due to an administrative error, the female students and staff are relocated to the Nutborne Boys School, whose headmaster, Wetherby Pond (Alastair Sim), is alarmed. He and St. Swithins headmistress Muriel Whitchurch (Margaret Rutherford) agree to keep their mixed-sex campus a secret to avoid disturbing the parents, but they find it hard to deceive visiting inspectors.

Robert Daniels

RogerEbert.com

[A] genuinely hilarious farce.

Aug 22, 2025

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MFB Critics

Monthly Film Bulletin

Occasionally slapdash, but frequently amusing.

Feb 1, 2018

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A first-class postwar farce, with Margaret Rutherford and Alastair Sim in fine form as rival school principals.

Rated: A-

Mar 14, 2012

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Colin M

(B&W, Alastair Simms, Margaret Rutherford) Girls' school pupils sent by accident to double up at a boys' school. Silly farce.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/24

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Audience Member

A typical British runaround farce, but it's extremely well done and both witty and funny throughout. The leads of Alistair Sim and Margaret Rutherford are superb together and their comic timing is perfect.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

The Happiest Days of Your Life is one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. Margaret Rutherford and Alastair Sim are two of the greatest comedic actors of all time. Together these two have explosive chemistry and perfect comic timing. These legendary English actors are at their best in this film, making it one of the greatest British comedies of all time.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

This classic British comedy leaves a warm, cheerful glow!!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

Before st trinians we had this gem of film. Some wonderful performances from Rutherford and sim but Joyce grenfell's was even better.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Completely farcical movie of wartime girls being moved by mistake into private boys school. Brilliant plotting and subtle characterization as well as hilarious intrigue to fool visitng parents. This is just fabulous chaos!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Frank Launder

Director

Alastair Sim

Wetherby Pond

Margaret Rutherford

Muriel Whitchurch

Joyce Grenfell

Miss Gossage

Guy Middleton

Victor Hyde-Brown

Edward Rigby

Rainbow

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Synopsis

During World War II, the all-girls St. Swithins school is evacuated from London to avoid the Blitz. Due to an administrative error, the female students and staff are relocated to the Nutborne Boys School, whose headmaster, Wetherby Pond (Alastair Sim), is alarmed. He and St. Swithins headmistress Muriel Whitchurch (Margaret Rutherford) agree to keep their mixed-sex campus a secret to avoid disturbing the parents, but they find it hard to deceive visiting inspectors.

Director: Frank Launder
Producer: Sidney Gilliat, Frank Launder
Screenwriter: John Dighton, Frank Launder, John Dighton
Production Co: London Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: British English
Runtime: 1h 21m