The Entertainer

The Entertainer 1960

Runtime

96 min

Language

English

English

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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of The Entertainer (1960). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


In the scorching summer of 1956, Jean Rice, a disillusioned art teacher from London, sets off to visit her family’s seaside resort. Her emotional turmoil is palpable, particularly after ending her engagement with Graham, who eagerly urges her to join him in Africa. Compounding her distress is the looming Suez Crisis and the recent departure of her soldier brother, Mick, which resonates deeply with her as she recalls the large anti-war protest at Trafalgar Square condemning Prime Minister Anthony Eden’s policies.

Upon reaching the now-faded resort town, which once flourished, Jean is confronted with its diminished allure. Her father’s music-hall act, Archie Rice (Laurence Olivier), struggles to engage a dwindling audience, reflecting his own defeatist outlook. The family dynamics reveal a tapestry of dysfunction: Phoebe, Archie’s second wife, openly ridicules his notorious womanizing; their son Frank remains cynical and aloof; and Jean’s treasured grandfather, Billy, once a star of the music hall, now enjoys a quiet retirement away from the spotlight.

As Jean witnesses her father’s performances at the local theatre, the depth of his desperation becomes evident. Facing bankruptcy and battling the bottle, Archie’s interactions with his family are strained, filled with a blend of exasperation and pity. Frank oscillates between fondness and frustration for his father, while Phoebe watches with an air of detached cynicism. Despite these obstacles, Archie retains his charm as a performer, capable of captivating any audience when on stage.

As Archie’s latest show winds down, he is increasingly preoccupied with securing a new winter engagement. During his stint as master of ceremonies at the Miss Great Britain beauty contest, he finds himself captivated by the runner-up, Tina Lapford. This leads to a secret affair, with her affluent and ambitious parents offering Archie a tantalizing proposition: if he casts Tina in his next show, they will underwrite its production costs. Seizing this opportunity, Archie embarks on a mission to reinvigorate his floundering career, blissfully unaware of the upheaval about to erupt.

As reports of Mick’s capture in Suez reach the airwaves, tension grips the town with stories of a fierce and tragic conflict. Yet, Archie remains unsettlingly detached, focusing solely on his upcoming venture and his clandestine romance. Meanwhile, Jean uncovers the truth about her father’s affair and confides in her grandfather, Billy. Out of misplaced loyalty, Billy confronts Tina’s parents, divulging Archie’s already complicated situation: his marriage and financial woes. This revelation leads to a rupture in ties with the Lapfords as they hastily back away from Archie.

The community is shaken when news of Mick’s death spreads, coupled with the announcement of his posthumous Victoria Cross. Despite the sorrow enveloping those around him, Archie remains in his oblivious bubble, fixated on self-interest. When his brother-in-law suggests relocating to Canada to start anew, Archie dismisses the idea, instead orchestrating a new show featuring Billy, who still enjoys immense popularity with the public.

However, tragedy strikes on opening night when Billy suffers a fatal collapse just prior to going on stage, further unraveling the already fragile family ties. By this point, Phoebe and Frank are resolute in their plans to begin fresh in Canada, while Archie stubbornly opts to remain behind, facing potential incarceration. As the tragedy culminates, Archie delivers what may be his ultimate performance to an audience that seems disinterested, all while his world spirals into chaos around him.

Timeline

Track the key events of The Entertainer (1960) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Jean's Departure from London

In the scorching summer of 1956, Jean Rice, a disillusioned art teacher, decides to leave London. Her engagement to Graham has recently ended, adding to her emotional turmoil as she grapples with unresolved feelings about her future.

Summer 1956 London

Arrival at the Seaside Resort

Jean arrives at her family's seaside resort, only to find it faded and lacking the charm it once had. This stark change mirrors her internal struggles and sets the tone for her visit.

Seaside resort

Archie's Struggling Performances

Jean witnesses her father's performances at the local theatre, where Archie Rice struggles to engage a diminishing audience. This serves as a reflection of his defeatist outlook and deteriorating relationship with his family.

Local Theatre

Family Dysfunction

As Jean interacts with her family, the tapestry of dysfunction is revealed. Archie's second wife, Phoebe, ridicules his infidelities, while their son Frank exhibits a cynical demeanor, deepening the existing tensions.

Family home

Desperation for a New Engagement

After a lackluster performance, Archie becomes obsessed with securing a new winter engagement. His desperation grows as he clings to the hope of revitalizing his floundering career, despite the looming chaos around him.

Local Theatre

Captivation by Tina

At the Miss Great Britain beauty contest, Archie becomes enamored with the runner-up, Tina Lapford. This infatuation leads him into a secret affair that complicates his already strained family dynamics.

Beauty contest venue

A Proposition from Tina's Parents

Tina's affluent parents offer Archie a deal: if he casts Tina in his next show, they will finance its production. Driven by ambition and desperation, Archie eagerly accepts this proposal, hoping to rejuvenate his career.

Mick's Capture

The tension in the town escalates as reports of Jean's brother Mick being captured in Suez emerge. While the community grapples with the news, Archie remains fixated on his romantic entanglement and professional prospects.

Community

Jean Discovers the Affair

Jean learns of her father's affair and confides in her grandfather, Billy. This revelation strains the family further, as they grapple with issues of loyalty and betrayal amidst their already complicated lives.

Family home

Tragedy Strikes: Mick's Death

The community is rocked by the news of Mick's death, coupled with the announcement of his posthumous Victoria Cross. The sorrow enveloping others only deepens Archie's self-absorption as he remains detached from the tragedy.

Town

Plans for Relocation

Archie's brother-in-law suggests moving the family to Canada for a fresh start. However, Archie's stubbornness leads him to reject this idea as he focuses on his upcoming show instead.

Billy's Fatal Collapse

On the opening night of Archie's new show, tragedy occurs when Billy suffers a fatal collapse just before going on stage. This devastating event further unravels the already fragile family relationships.

Theatre

Final Disinterest from the Audience

Despite the chaos and heartache surrounding him, Archie delivers what may be his final performance. Unfortunately, the audience seems indifferent, reflecting the disintegration of his world and career.

Local Theatre

Characters

Meet the characters that bring The Entertainer (1960) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Jean Rice

A disillusioned art teacher grappling with personal turmoil and societal upheaval. Jean's journey reflects her emotional conflict and sadness as she copes with the pressures of family expectations and the realities of her father's fading career.

🎨 Art 💔 Heartache 📚 Teacher

Archie Rice

A once-popular music-hall performer struggling with his declining career and family relationships. Archie exhibits charm on stage but is deeply flawed, ignoring his family's crises while clinging to the hope of past glory.

🎤 Performer 🎭 Theater 🍷 Conflict

Mick Rice

Jean's soldier brother, whose capture during the Suez Crisis reverberates throughout the story. His fate underlines the film's themes of loss, sacrifice, and the personal impact of global conflict on families.

⚔️ Soldier 🇬🇧 Heroism 💔 Loss

Phoebe Rice

Archie's cynical second wife who openly critiques her husband's past infidelities and declining career. Phoebe represents the disillusionment of family life, having grown weary of Archie's failures.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Marriage 🎭 Drama 🔍 Judgment

Billy Rice

Jean's grandfather and a former star of the music hall. Billy's quiet retirement contrasts with Archie's frantic attempts to salvage his career and reflects the generational shifts within the family.

🌟 Legacy 👴 Wisdom 🎤 Music Hall

Setting

Uncover the settings of The Entertainer (1960), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

1956

Set against the backdrop of the Suez Crisis, 1956 was a turbulent time for Britain, marked by political strife and anti-war sentiments. The events of this period resonate throughout the film, highlighting themes of loss, disillusionment, and familial strife, as the country faced significant changes both domestically and abroad.

Location

London, seaside resort town

The movie takes place in a summer of discontent during the late 1950s. London, known for its cultural vibrancy, serves as the starting point for Jean's journey. The seaside resort town, once flourishing, symbolizes nostalgia and decay, reflecting the personal and social upheaval of the era.

🏖️ Beach 🏙️ City

Themes

Explore the core themes of The Entertainer (1960). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💔

Disillusionment

The theme of disillusionment permeates the film, particularly through Jean's struggles with her broken engagement and the fading glory of her family's resort. Characters grapple with personal failures and unfulfilled dreams, culminating in a profound sense of despair and resignation.

⚖️

Conflict

Both personal and societal conflicts drive the narrative, with the backdrop of the Suez Crisis representing broader global tensions. Family dynamics are fraught with betrayal and denial, highlighting the characters' internal struggles as they navigate their relationships amidst external chaos.

🎭

Theatricality

The world of entertainment and performance serves as a double-edged sword in the film. While it grants characters like Archie a momentary escape from their reality, it also reflects their struggles and the hollowness beneath the surface. This theme emphasizes the contrast between public persona and private despair.

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