The Amorous Prawn
Original film poster
Directed by	Anthony Kimmins
Written by	Anthony Kimmins (play and screenplay) Nicholas Phipps
Produced by	Leslie Gilliat
Starring	Ian Carmichael Joan Greenwood Cecil Parker
Cinematography	Wilkie Cooper
Edited by	Thelma Connell
Music by	John Barry
Production company	Covent Garden Films
Distributed by	British Lion Films
Release date	26 November 1962 (1962-11-26) (UK)
Running time	89 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Amorous Prawn, also known as The Amorous Mr. Prawn, is a 1962 British comedy film directed by Anthony Kimmins and starring Ian Carmichael, Joan Greenwood and Cecil Parker.^[1] The film was based on a 1959 farcical play by Kimmins.^[2]

In the United States the film was retitled The Playgirl and the War Minister to exploit the Profumo affair.^[3]

Premise

General Fitzadam receives his final posting in the remote Scottish Highlands. When the General and his wife discover that they cannot afford the country cottage where they plan to retire, his wife decides to run their residence as a hotel for wealthy Americans using the services of soldiers and an expert poacher.

Cast

Production

The original play had run for over 900 performances in the West End.^[4][5]

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A pair of amorous prawns and their progeny processing behind the credit titles set the note of good, clean fun on which this inoffensive farce means to continue. In spite of a hoary formula and a slow start, the film has its amusing moments. The settings are easy on the eye, and some of the acting, especially Cecil Parker's suddenly benign air of conspiracy and Liz Fraser's imbecilic giggle, has charm. The climax, effectively tying up more loose ends than previously seemed to exist, is a glorious romp."^[6]

Variety called the film "non-demanding light entertainment, cheerfully put over by a reliable cast of popular British thesps."^[7]