Storm in a Teacup: A bit dusty, but charming enough

Is this thing worth a watch?

If you like old-school British comedies that rely on snappy dialogue rather than big explosions, you’ll probably have a decent time. It’s light, it’s breezy, and it feels like a stage play that decided to go for a walk outside. If you’re looking for high-stakes drama or something that feels modern, you’ll be bored within ten minutes. Stay away if you can't stand old movies that look a little scratchy.

The whole thing hinges on a local politician, Provost Gow, who thinks he’s a much bigger deal than he actually is. He gets his feathers ruffled by a reporter, Frank Burdon, played by a very young and charming Rex Harrison. The chemistry is fine, but honestly? The real star of the show is the dog.

Wait, did I mention the dog? There’s this little scruffy terrier that ends up in the middle of a massive legal mess because the Provost is too stubborn to let a small thing slide. It’s hilarious watching a room full of stiff-collared men in suits get absolutely unraveled by a dog’s presence.

Some of the scenes feel a bit long. You can tell they were trying to capture that frantic, overlapping dialogue style that was popular back then. Sometimes it works, and other times it just feels like everyone is shouting over each other for no real reason. It’s not quite as sharp as something like Once a Lady, but it gets the job done.

The pacing is a bit of a rollercoaster. One minute you're deep into a courtroom drama, and the next, everyone is running around town like it’s a slapstick cartoon. It’s jarring, but kind of sweet in its own weird way. I found myself checking my phone during the longer speeches, but then something silly would happen with the terrier and I'd be sucked right back in. 🐶

Oddly Specific Notes:

• The courtroom scene goes on for what feels like an eternity. I think the judge was actually asleep at one point.
• The way they handle the political satire is almost cute. It’s so polite compared to the absolute messes we see on TV today.
• Vivien Leigh is great, but she doesn't get nearly enough to do. She’s mostly there to look concerned while the men yell.
• The lighting in the outdoor shots is surprisingly crisp, though sometimes the shadows look like they were painted on the wall.

It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a cozy way to spend a rainy afternoon. It feels like a relic of a time when the biggest problem in a village was a dog license and a bad review in the local paper. If you’ve seen A Very Good Young Man, you’ll recognize that specific vibe of people acting very serious about very trivial things.

I left it feeling mostly just fine. It’s not going to change your life, but it won't make you regret the time either. Just don't go in expecting something grand. It’s a storm in a teacup, after all. ☕