Val Guest had some troubles working with children but said otherwise production went smoothly and both William films were "very successful." [2] Critical reception [ edit ]

Crompton wrote 55 play scripts for the BBC, broadcast from 1946. These were first collected for publication in 6 volumes from 2008 to 10, including several unbroadcast scripts. Nearly half of the plays were original stories, not derived from the books: William Below Stairs – William runs away from home after reading a book about a boy who ran away and made a fortune in gold. He gets a job working as a servant in an upper-class household. William Joins the Band of Hope – William is forced to join the Temperance movement along with the other Outlaws, but manages to turn the first meeting into a punch-up.Bertie Franks – A leading member of the Hubert Laneites, usually Hubert's lieutenant, though in William the Gangster he sets up as a gang leader in his own right. Like Hubert, he is fat and spoiled.

Running for two series transmitted in 1976 and 1977, an ITV series called Just William was made by London Weekend Television. It features Adrian Dannatt as William, with Stephen Wilmot as Henry, Diana Fairfax as Mrs. Brown, Hugh Cross as Mr. Brown, Stacy Dorning as Ethel Brown, Bonnie Langford as Violet Elizabeth Bott, Simon Chandler as Robert Brown and Diana Dors as Mrs. Bott.Barnett, David. " 'Just William' represents a time when rebellious boys reigned supreme". Independent . Retrieved 12 May 2022. Richmal Compton's character William was very close to my mother's heart as she had read every single one of the books. As a matter of fact, I still have most of them all in my attic. After seeing this film again, I think I will read them one more time. The first part of the film describes a World gone by - a World that no longer exists. The film described a World of family breakfasts and mealtimes - almost treated as a social event. It also shows idyllic country cottages, where even ordinary families had a maid or a housekeeper. William at the Circus also featured Michael Medwin as Reporter, Jon Pertwee as Superintendent, Peter Butterworth as Postman and John Martel as Johnnie. Started out with music, singing and dancing, and local choir, his parents sent him to Jean Hardy’stheatrical school. He entertained his parents and worked with Don Sorrento’s Accordion Band, doing tap and playing Salome (with “see-through” trousers). Most of this work was in concert party,Horton Working Mens Club, and army camps. Used to perform on a billiard table covered with a board.