It Isn't Done

It Isn't Done is a 1937 Australian comedy film about a grazier (Cecil Kellaway) who inherits a barony in England.

Hubert Blaydon, an Australian farmer, inherits a baronial estate and moves to England with his wife and daughter Patricia, a university student, to collect it.

He finds it difficult to adapt to upper class customs and faces snobbishness from Lord Denvee and difficulties with his butler Jarms.

He eventually contrives evidence that Peter is the legal heir and bonds with Lord Denvee over the fact that both their sons died on the same day in World War I. Hubert and his wife return to Australia with Jarms while Patricia and Peter are married.

The film was based on an original story by Cecil Kellaway which he had written in between acts while performing in White Horse Inn on stage.

[6] Hall originally imported American writer Carl Dudley from Los Angeles to adapt it into a feature film script.

[8] Hall had the script worked on by playwright and actor Frank Harvey, who had recently joined Cinesound as a dialogue director.

"[6] Cecil Kellaway later claimed the lead character was based on a real grazier from New South Wales: I've enjoyed portraying this role, because I know him so thoroughly.

He is the jovial, lovable person who is symbolic of the democratic carefree spirit of a sunny land.... To me, he is typical of so many of our countrymen.

[15] The film marked the feature debut of Shirley Ann Richards who was a graduate of Cinesound's Talent School, run by Harvey and George Parker.

Film breaks away from the 'horse opera' group and portrays a simple,, yet in parts, highly touching story.

[26] Kellaway did return to Australia for one more film, Mr. Chedworth Steps Out, but spent the rest of his career in America.

Australian premiere of the film at the Embassy Theatre, Sydney