Watch Storm in a Teacup
- Approved
- 1938
- 1 hr 27 min
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6.5 (1,067)
Storm in a Teacup is a whimsical romantic comedy set in a fictional Scottish town of Bellacraig. The movie is based on the 1928 play of the same name by James Bridie. Directed by Ian Dalrymple and Victor Saville, the movie stars Vivien Leigh, then an up-and-coming actress, and Rex Harrison, who was at the peak of his career. The story follows the charming and witty journalist Frank Burdon (Rex Harrison) as he arrives in Bellacraig to investigate a local scandal. The small town has been thrown into turmoil after a pompous and conservative councilor Sir William "Willie" Chrichton (Cecil Parker) condemned a local laborer's dog to death for howling too loudly. Frank, who is visiting Bellacraig from London, sees an opportunity to make a juicy story out of this trivial incident.
However, things take an unexpected turn when Frank falls in love with the councilor's headstrong and beautiful daughter, Victoria Chrichton (Vivien Leigh). Victoria, who is a rebel at heart, is not impressed with Frank's cynical attitude towards the town's people and accuses him of being a typical Londoner who looks down on the countryside folks. The two engage in a fiery and clever battle of wits that ultimately leads them to discover their mutual attraction.
As Frank's investigation progresses, he discovers that the town council is corrupt, and Sir William is trying to suppress the liberal newspaper, The Bellacraig Courier, which Frank writes for. Frank gathers evidence and writes an exposé, intending to ruin Sir William's reputation and force him to resign. However, Victoria pleads with Frank to stop the article's publication, fearing that it would bring shame upon her family and the town.
The climax of the movie takes place during the town's annual fair, where Frank has to decide between his career ambition or his love for Victoria. The tension mounts as Frank confronts Sir William, who threatens to sue him for libel. Meanwhile, Victoria's desperate attempt to stop Frank's article backfires, leading to a public embarrassment for her family.
Storm in a Teacup is a delightful comedy that highlights the contrast between the traditional views of small-town Scotland and modern London. The witty and fast-paced dialogue between Rex Harrison and Vivien Leigh adds to the charm of the movie. The love triangle between Frank, Victoria, and Sir William, who also has a crush on Victoria, brings a comical dimension to the story.
The movie's themes of love and social justice are handled in a light-hearted and entertaining way. The camera work, especially the shots of the Scottish countryside, captures the beauty and tranquility of Bellacraig. However, the movie's lack of depth and sometimes excessive use of comedic tropes may be a turn-off for some viewers.
Overall, Storm in a Teacup is a gem of the 1930s romantic comedy genre. The chemistry between Rex Harrison and Vivien Leigh, combined with the movie's lighthearted and whimsical nature, makes for an enjoyable watch.
Storm in a Teacup is a 1938 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.