Made in Heaven (1952)

Set in the historic market town of Dunmow, England—renowned for the quirky Dunmow Flitch trial—this charming comedy follows the Topham family as they navigate love, loyalty, and tradition. The annual Flitch trial seeks to reward a married couple demonstrating perfect fidelity for a year and a day with a prized flitch of bacon, a rare treat in the post-war era. Despite living in Dunmow for fifteen years, the Tophams are still seen as outsiders, especially by the formidable Miss Rosabelle Honeycroft. Tensions rise when Marjorie Topham nominates her son Basil and his wife Julie as the only contenders for this year's Flitch, much to the chagrin of Miss Honeycroft. Basil and Julie—living with Basil’s parents and grandfather while their own house is slowly being built—find their marriage put under intense scrutiny during the competition. The arrival of Marta, the beautiful and mysterious new Hungarian housekeeper, further complicates matters. Marta's refined tastes and hidden motives quickly captivate the men of the household, unsettling Julie and sparking jealousy. Amidst Miss Honeycroft’s schemes to disqualify Basil and Julie, a scandal involving a missing flitch of bacon creates even more confusion as the trial unfolds. Starring David Tomlinson (Basil Topham), Petula Clark (Julie Topham), Sonja Ziemann (Marta), A.E. Matthews (Hillary Topham), Charles Victor (Aubrey Topham), Sophie Stewart (Marjorie Topham), Philip Stainton (Stanley Grimes), Richard Wattis (Hayworth Honeycroft), Michael Brennan, Alfie Bass, Dora Bryan, Ferdy Mayne, and Athene Seyler (Miss Rosabelle Honeycroft). Runtime: 90 minutes.