Rooney (1958)

John Gregson turns in quite an amiable performance here as the eponymous Dublin bin man turned athlete. By day, he collects rubbish whilst at the weekends, he plays the lethal game of the "hurley" - and it's this that draws the attention of local bigwig "Doolan" (Liam Redmond) who helps him to find better lodgings. Safely ensconced, he meets "Maire" (Muriel Pavlov) who lives with her ailing, elderly, grandfather (Barry Fitzgerald) and his rather grumpy daughter "Mrs. O"Flynn" (Marie Kean). Can he make good on his sporting promise, survive all the familial discord and get the gal? It's very un-Catherine Cookson, this - but that just demonstrates a little of the versatility of an author who could update her stories as the need called for it. Despite being as English as the Thames, Gregson - maybe not so well when drunk - is engaging as the charming Irishman and I rather liked Kean's contributions as the stern "Miss Gulch"-esque woman who certainly never has an half full glass! Sure, it's all pretty predictable, but it serves as a nice reminder of late 1950s Dublin, and offers a watchable family drama that is characterful and well paced.