One Good Turn

One Good Turn

Year: 1955

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: John Paddy Carstairs

Comedy

Norman, the eldest resident of Greenwood Children’s Home, now looks after the younger orphans. Their happy routine is threatened when the orphanage’s chairman, a greedy property developer, plots to shut the home and replace it with a factory. A school‑trip to Brighton excites Norman, who has never seen the sea, but upon returning the children discover the closure plans and must decide how to fight back.

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Timeline & Setting – One Good Turn (1955)

Explore the full timeline and setting of One Good Turn (1955). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Greenwood children's home (south of London), Brighton, London to Brighton walking route

Greenwood children's home, located south of London, is the central hub where Norman works as a carer and guardian to the children. The home represents a tight-knit community built on care, loyalty, and shared burdens. The Brighton excursion expands the setting beyond the home, bringing the seaside, trains, and local fairs into the story and driving the day-to-day adventures that test and unite the group.

🏠 Community 🎡 Seaside excursion 🚶‍♂️ Journey

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:46

Main Characters – One Good Turn (1955)

Meet the key characters of One Good Turn (1955), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Norman (Norman Wisdom)

The film's central figure, Norman is a caring, quick-witted carer at Greenwood who treats the children as his family. He is endlessly optimistic and resourceful, willing to go to great lengths to help Jimmy and the others. His humor and determination drive the story's momentum and keep the community together.

🏠 Caring 🎯 Determined 🎭 Charismatic

Jimmy (Keith Gilman)

A boy at Greenwood who dreams of owning a model car. His simple wish and friendship with Norman motivate the adventures and schemes that unfold. He embodies hope and the innocence the group strives to protect.

👦 Child 🎈 Hopeful 💡 Curious

Matron Sparrow (Joan Ingram)

The stern yet caring administrator of Greenwood home. She enforces rules and oversees the children, providing stability even as she challenges Norman’s plans. Her authority frames the stakes around the home’s welfare and its future.

🏛️ Authority 🤝 Caring 🧹 Strict but fair

Mr. Bigley (Richard Caldicot)

The crooked chairman of the trustees whose greed threatens to evict the children for a factory development. He represents the antagonistic force against which Norman and the kids must rally.

💼 Crooked 🗺️ Manipulative 🧩 Scheming

Alec Bigley (William Russell)

A member of the Bigley family involved in the eviction plot. He adds to the network of local authorities and antagonists that Norman and the children outwit.

💼 Trustee 🕵️‍♂️ Calculating 🏗️ Ambitious

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:46

Major Themes – One Good Turn (1955)

Explore the central themes of One Good Turn (1955), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🏡 Community and Family

Norman’s dedication to the children at Greenwood forms a makeshift family, showing how care and fellowship can arise from an environment of modest means. The staff and kids rely on one another, turning everyday acts into acts of solidarity. The film uses this sense of community to counterbalance the external threats they face.

🧭 Perseverance

Norman’s efforts to raise money for the model car and his willingness to improvise—disguises, performances, and brave shenanigans—highlight resilience in the face of financial and social obstacles. The misadventures on the train, the stage, and the fair demonstrate how ingenuity and persistence push the story forward. The community’s support amplifies his perseverance.

🥇 Hope and Triumph

Despite scams, setbacks, and the eviction threat, the children, Norman, and their allies rally to defend Greenwood. The narrative builds toward a resolution where integrity and collective action prevail over greed. The film frames triumph as a communal achievement rooted in generosity and courage.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:46

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One Good Turn Summary

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One Good Turn Summary

One Good Turn Timeline

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One Good Turn Timeline

More About One Good Turn

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