The Adventures of Hal 5

The Adventures of Hal 5 is a 1958 British adventure film from the Children's Film Foundation (CCF).[1] It was an early directorial effort from Don Sharp.[2]

The Adventures of Hal 5
Directed byDon Sharp
Written byDon Sharp
Based onnovel Hal 5 and the Haywards by Henry Donald
Produced byGilbert Church
StarringWilliam Russell
Production
company
Bushey Film Studios
Distributed byChildren's Film Foundation
Release date
1958
Running time
57 mins
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Premise edit

Hal 5, an old car, is discovered by two children and purchased by their uncle, a vicar (William Russell).[3] The garage proprietor, Goorlie, conceals Hal's faulty transmission.

Cast edit

Production edit

The film was made by Don Sharp who had previously directed The Stolen Airliner for the CCF.[4]

Reception edit

The Monthly Film Bulletin called The Adventures of Hal 5 "a charming little film."[1]

Robert Shall, who wrote a book on CCF movies, had Hal 5 "combines two favorite CFF elements: gentle fantasy and nostalgic affection for vintage vehicles of varying kinds...the appeal, apart from the charming anthropomorphic car, lies in the presentation of a rural idyll... the pace is particularly leisurely."[5][6]

References edit

  1. ^ a b ADVENTURES OF HAL 5, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 25, Iss. 288, (Jan 1, 1958): 152.
  2. ^ Vagg, Stephen (27 July 2019). "Unsung Aussie Filmmakers: Don Sharp – A Top 25". Filmink.
  3. ^ The Adventures of Hal 5 at Chestnut.com
  4. ^ Obituary: Don Sharp: His eerily atmospheric Hammer horror films included The Kiss of the Vampire Bergan, Ronald. The Guardian 24 Dec 2011: 39.
  5. ^ Shail, Robert (21 March 2016). The Children's Film Foundation: History and Legacy. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 55–56. ISBN 9781844578603.
  6. ^ Sharp, Don (2 November 1993). "Don Sharp Side 2" (Interview). Interviewed by Teddy Darvas and Alan Lawson. London: History Project. Retrieved 16 July 2021.

External links edit