Patricia Roc was one of Britain's most popular stars of the 40s. Extremely pretty, she was often cast opposite more vibrant actresses to emphasize her virginal prettiness.
Occasionally she was given a role to show she could really act if given the chance. "When the bough breaks" was on of those films. She stars with Rosamund John (a lovely restrained actress of some great British films - "The Way to the Stars" (1945), "Green for Danger" (1946), "Fame is the Spur" (1947)) in this film about mother love.
Patricia Roc stars as Lily Bates, a new mother who has just been told her "husband" has been arrested for bigamy. Finding things hard she puts her baby into a nursery while she looks for a job. Rosamund John plays Frances, a nursery helper who develops a strong bond with baby Jimmy (she had previously lost her own baby.)
When Lily gets the flu, Frances offers to look after Jimmy until she recovers. When Lily goes to pick Jimmy up, she sees how happy and healthy he is and suggest that they adopt him - they eagerly agree.
Years later with a change in her fortunes Lily wants her son back. After taking Frances and her husband to court for custody of Jimmy, (they hadn't bothered to fill out papers so it was an illegal adoption) Jimmy comes to stay with Lily and her husband . The usual story follows - Jimmy doesn't like it there and runs away.
It all works out in the end.
Patricia Roc proves she can handle a 3 dimensional dramatic part and Rosamund John is excellent as always.
Occasionally she was given a role to show she could really act if given the chance. "When the bough breaks" was on of those films. She stars with Rosamund John (a lovely restrained actress of some great British films - "The Way to the Stars" (1945), "Green for Danger" (1946), "Fame is the Spur" (1947)) in this film about mother love.
Patricia Roc stars as Lily Bates, a new mother who has just been told her "husband" has been arrested for bigamy. Finding things hard she puts her baby into a nursery while she looks for a job. Rosamund John plays Frances, a nursery helper who develops a strong bond with baby Jimmy (she had previously lost her own baby.)
When Lily gets the flu, Frances offers to look after Jimmy until she recovers. When Lily goes to pick Jimmy up, she sees how happy and healthy he is and suggest that they adopt him - they eagerly agree.
Years later with a change in her fortunes Lily wants her son back. After taking Frances and her husband to court for custody of Jimmy, (they hadn't bothered to fill out papers so it was an illegal adoption) Jimmy comes to stay with Lily and her husband . The usual story follows - Jimmy doesn't like it there and runs away.
It all works out in the end.
Patricia Roc proves she can handle a 3 dimensional dramatic part and Rosamund John is excellent as always.