Kiss the Bride Goodbye
Kiss the Bride Goodbye is a 1945 British romantic comedy-drama directed by Paul L. Stein and starring Patricia Medina and Jimmy Hanley. The story follows Joan Dodd, a factory girl in love with Jack Fowler. When Jack goes off to war, Joan’s socially ambitious mother nudges her toward Adolphus Pickering, a wealthy boss who is smitten with Joan. Under pressure, Joan accepts Pickering’s proposal and wedding plans begin.
Jack returns on leave and visits Joan, but Joan’s mother hides him while Pickering asks for her father’s permission to marry. On the morning of the wedding, Joan learns Jack is back and tries to reach him. He heads to the station to go to Scotland, and Joan rushes to catch him. On the train, they decide to visit Joan’s aunt and uncle, assuming they are already married, and the relatives prepare a bridal chamber for the couple. Comic misunderstandings follow until Joan asserts her right to marry the person she loves.
The film was shot at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, with art director James Carter designing the sets. It runs 89 minutes and was released on 29 January 1945. Other key crew includes writer Jack Whittingham, cinematographer Geoffrey Faithfull, editor Ted Richards, and composer Percival Mackey; produced by Paul L. Stein for Butcher’s Film Service, which also distributed the film.
Critical reception noted a well-acted and well-directed comedy despite a familiar theme, with comments ranging from “average” to “unsubtle” in tone, and some humor edging toward risqué. For many years the film’s print was difficult to locate, and the British Film Institute classed it as missing. A clip appeared online from Huntley Film Archives claiming to hold the full feature, and Renown Pictures released a DVD in 2013.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 08:43 (CET).