Bank Holiday (1938)

I don't think Bank Holiday is for everyone. This thought is reinforced by the other reviews I have read here. But I found the film delightful.

Set during a bank holiday in England, this summer story is about various people who make the trip to seaside Bexborough, filled with various hopes and dreams. During their excursions, they cannot escape the realities of their stations or of life, in general.

The primary couple--Stephen and Catherine (played by the beautiful Margaret Lockwood)--travels to Bexborough under the pretense of love.

There is a young woman and her girlfriend who make their way to Bexborough so that the one can represent Fulham in a beauty pageant. To win would fulfill their dreams.

Then there is a family (parents and three children) who fights the holiday crowds, seeking an escape from the routine of their lives.

The stories intertwine and overlap with each other and with other minor sub-stories, creating a most entertaining patchwork. Moments of comedy are juxtaposed with moments of grave concern. The mood shifts continuously throughout the well-written script.

Bank Holiday has a very strong cast, wonderful black and white photography, and a score that does not intrude. The stories are engaging. Recommended for anyone who appreciates character development.