The Magnet Details

Coming just after Passport to Pimlico and The Blue Lamp, this was one of Ealing superscribe T E B Clarke's least distinguished efforts. The story of a young boy who steals a magnet and becomes the toast of his community after his accidental heroics is understandably contrived, but it's the totally false characters that really let it down. Moreover, director Charles Frend fails to exploit the run-down urban locations. By the way, you're right if you think you recognise young William Fox — he later changed his first name to James and became a front-rank British star.

Very mild Ealing comedy, not really up to snuff.