Laxdale Hall (also known as Poacher Story and The Road to Nowhere; U.S. title: Scotch on the Rocks) is a 1953 British romantic comedy film directed by John Eldridge and starring Ronald Squire, Kathleen Ryan, Raymond Huntley and Sebastian Shaw, with Prunella Scales and Fulton Mackay in early roles.
In the middle of torrential rain, the local poacher chats casually with the undertaker saying "och, there's a bit of mist on the hill".
[4] The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "In its reliance on the attractions of landscape (not, in this case, particularly well photographed) and of mild law-breaking – poaching instead of smuggling – the picture greatly resembles John Eidridge's earlier work for Group 3, Brandy for the Parson.
But the new film is a good deal more diffuse and less spirited than is predecessor, and the handling lacks pace and any real flair for comedy.
The more experienced players, notably Ronald Squire and Kynaston Reeves, make the most of such occasional moments of wit as the dialogue affords.
The story is a trifle pat, but the players ... make the most of their chances and extract laughs from the foibles of politicians, local bigwigs, the clergy and poaches without treading on anybody's corns.
"[9] TV Guide wrote, "The humor is subtle and gentle, but often very funny, in much the same way as that in Bill Forsyth's pictures (Local Hero, Comfort and Joy) three decades later.