The film follows the tightly-knit world inside a large London terraced house, slowly revealing its residents from Christmas 1938 through September 1939. The landlady, Mrs Vizzard Joyce Carey, is a widow who clings to spiritualism, while the Josser family—Mr Josser Wylie Watson and Mrs Josser Fay Compton—live with their teenage daughter Doris Susan Shaw. Among them, the flamboyant spiritualist Mr Squales Alastair Sim preaches about communication with the beyond, and Connie Coke Ivy St. Helier adds color to the bustling household. The story centers on Percy Boon Richard Attenborough, a bright-hearted young motor mechanic who ends up entwined with the Josser clan in more ways than one.
Percy is in love with Doris Josser, and in a bid to win her and prove himself, he turns to crime to raise money. His attempt at a car theft goes disastrously wrong, and he finds himself accused of murder. In a bid to help him, Mr Josser dips into his retirement fund to hire a lawyer for Percy, hoping for a fair shot at justice. The courtroom drama intensifies as Mr Squales testifies, but his performance unravels a more troubling truth: his claimed ability to contact the dead and to foresee the future is revealed to be a fabrication. The revelation lands with a sting not only for Percy but for Mrs Vizzard, who begins to see the cracks in the spiritualist’s assurances.
Despite the verdict of guilt, the community refuses to abandon Percy. Neighbors rally behind him, underscoring a sense of solidarity that runs through the building. With the steadfast support of Uncle Henry [Stephen Murray], who represents a blend of socialist pragmatism and communal care, they mobilize a petition that attracts thousands of signatures in hopes of sparing Percy’s life. The air is thick with concern, humor, and a stubborn belief that a man’s fate should be decided by mercy as much as by law.
The final act unfolds as the petitioners march through the rain toward the Houses of Parliament, their steps a quiet chorus of collective resolve. Just before they reach the government doors, the unexpected happens: clemency has already been granted. The film closes on a note of uncertain relief, a reminder that justice and community spirit can converge in surprising ways, even amid suspicion and social pressure. The residents’ intertwined lives—blending comedy, belief, and a shared urge for right and hope—leave an impression of a neighborhood’s stubborn humanity in the face of adversity.
