MovieChat Forums > This Happy Breed (1947) Discussion > I love the accents.

I love the accents.

posted 13 years ago by PurpleProseOfCairo
7 replies | jump to latest

That kind of Cockney accent that never existed in real life, as perpetrated by posh actors and actresses - "I always said she'd come to no good and no mistake!"

It's very comfortable to listen to, as comfortable as the rest of this movie is. Yes, it's obviously studio-bound for the most part, but it's a depiction of a safe, warm environment that can't help but make you feel good - and no mistake.

Awight we're The Daamned we're a punk baand and this is called Carn't Be Appy T'day!

[–] Flossieandflo 12 years ago

I shouldn't wonder, I must say, I'm sure...

It's ramped up (and no mistake), but it does remind me in essence of my husband's dear old auntie from Streatham.

[–] roghache 12 years ago

I loved the accents too but it took me about 15 minutes to get the hang of them. At first the characters talked too fast for me to keep up, then I seemed to get accustomed to them!

[–] Flossieandflo 12 years ago

It sounds like subtitles might have been useful for non-UK viewers roghache? I'm glad you got the hang of the accents eventually and enjoyed the film.

[–] roghache 12 years ago

I wouldn't say I needed subtitles but yes, it did take me a few minutes to catch on. I think with any accent not your own, you always have to pay closer attention to the dialogue. I did love the film and will probably rewatch at some point to better appreciate the first few minutes introducing the characters.

[–] DBloodnok 12 years ago

Ta very much, I'm sure and no mistake.

"Someone has been tampering with Hank's memories."

[–] Zorione 12 years ago

I loved the accents too but it took me about 15 minutes to get the hang of them. At first the characters talked too fast for me to keep up, then I seemed to get accustomed to them!

This post reminded me of a scene from the movie that made me laugh. It's the one where Sam and Vi go out to see The Broadway Melody and he remarks that he can't understand the actors. Maybe this was a reference to the crudeness of late-1920s synchronized-sound technology, but my first thought was that he was speaking about the actors' American accents. I found this funny because early on in this movie, I had been glancing between the closed captions and the actors' mouths and noting that, because of their accents, I would never have been able to decipher some of the words they spoke if I had had to rely on lip reading.

[–] illbeyourmirror 12 years ago

Yeah, I'm a fat American and I feel like I understand English after watching this!