A Sister to Assist 'Er is a 1938 British comedy film directed by George Dewhurst and Widgey R. Newman and starring Muriel George, Polly Emery and Charles Paton. It was written by Dewhurst based on the 1912 play A Sister to Assist 'Er by John le Breton.
Contents
Preservation status
The British Film Institute National Archive holds a collection of stills but no film or video materials.
Plot
Mrs Getch is the owner of a slum dwelling, and her tenant Mrs May, a widow, manages to scrape by using one trick or another. When Mrs May agrees to marry local fishmonger Joe Harris she impersonates her non-existant wealthy sister, Mrs Le Browning, and cons Mrs Getch into forgiving all her debts.
Cast
Muriel George as Mrs May / Mrs le Browning
Polly Emery as Mrs Getch
Charles Paton as Mr Harris
Billy Percy as Alf
Harry Herbert as Mr Getch
Dorothy Vernon as Mrs Thistlethwaite
Dora Levis as Mrs Hawkes
Elsie Shelton as Miss Pilbeam
Reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The popular original, now adapted for the fourth time of asking, has been spun out to undue length. The padding is most apparent in the first half of the picture, which is slowly developed, and only very mildly entertaining. The humour is of the would-be typical Cockney kind, and there is much drinking both before and, of course, during the famous impersonation scene. Muriel George and Polly Emery give effective performances. ... The settings are appropriately dingy, and the whole effect sordid."
Kine Weekly wrote: "Alcohol and the misplaced aspirate figure prominently in the treatment, and these artless forms of humorous expression are turned to good account by the co-stars, Muried George and Polly Emery. A welcome revival, the film should score with the industrial element."