This film is part of Rentals

The Magnet
A young James Fox plays the tearaway who tricks a boy out of his magnet only to be troubled by his conscience, in this attractive Ealing comedy.
Drama 1950 78 mins
Director: Charles Frend
Overview
In his first starring role, an 11-year-old James Fox (then known as William) plays Johnny, an over-imaginative child who tricks a younger boy out of his prized magnet. Troubled by his conscience, he gives the magnet away - but the guilt isn't so easy to lose.
The Magnet was clearly Ealing Studios’ attempt to repeat the success of its boys’ own crime caper Hue and Cry, but this time we're presented with a more earnest message around individual morality, in contrast to the ensemble japes of the earlier film, reflecting director Charles Frend’s reputation for more serious material (The Cruel Sea, Scott of the Antarctic). The film remains fascinating today for its earthy depiction of post-war Merseyside locations and inhabitants, including a scene featuring a young boy of Chinese heritage (conversant in both Chinese and fluent scouse); an unusual sight for British cinema of the time. While not as well-known as some of the more established Ealing classics, The Magnet is a thoroughly enjoyable fable that retains its power of attraction.

Accessibility
Related
Drama

Playground [Un Monde] Playground [Un Monde]
Drama 2021 72 mins Director: Laura Wandel
The harsh world of playground politics is seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl in a gripping debut from Belgian writer-director Laura Wandel.

Luzzu Luzzu
Drama 2021 95 mins Director: Alex Camilleri
Writer-director Alex Camilleri’s powerful neorealist drama is a rare home-grown Maltese production.

Moon, 66 Questions Moon, 66 Questions
Drama 2021 109 mins Director: Jacqueline Lentzou
A highly anticipated debut feature from Jacqueline Lentzou about the glacial relationship between a father and his daughter.

Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham] Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham]
Drama 2021 106 mins Director: Emmanuel Carrère
Juliette Binoche plays an undercover reporter investigating the conditions faced by France’s working women in this insightful, involving drama.

Benediction Benediction
Drama 2020 137 mins Director: Terence Davies
Terence Davies’ moving and lyrical portrait of the life of celebrated war poet Siegfried Sassoon.

Leave No Traces Leave No Traces
Drama 2021 160 mins Director: Jan P. Matuszynski
After the brutal killing of a student by Polish militia in 1983, the State cracks down on the sole witness and attempts a cover-up at the highest level.
Closed Captions

45 Years 45 Years
Drama 2014 95 mins Director: Andrew Haigh
One of the most acclaimed British features of recent years, starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay as a couple rocked by news from the past.

52 Tuesdays 52 Tuesdays
Drama 2013 110 mins Director: Sophie Hyde
A mother undergoing a gender transition meets his estranged daughter every Tuesday, changing gradually each time they meet. An intelligent indie hit about modern identity.

99 Homes 99 Homes
Drama 2014 112 mins Director: Ramin Bahrani
With precision and pertinence, Ramin Bahrani’s drama reveals the human cost of the 21st-century economic crisis.

Akenfield Akenfield
Drama 1975 98 mins Director: Peter Hall
Peter Hall’s extraordinary, long-unseen work of sublime poetic realism traces three generations of one Suffolk family and their lives in the farming industry.

All Quiet on the Western Front All Quiet on the Western Front
War 1930 133 mins Director: Lewis Milestone
Lewis Milestone's pioneering, Oscar®-winning film is one of the most powerful films about the consequences of war

American Gangster American Gangster
Crime 2007 157 mins Director: Ridley Scott
Ridley Scott’s heavyweight crime drama follows the rise and fall of drug-runner Frank Lucas, commandingly portrayed by Denzel Washington.
Featuring Stephen Murray

Vanishing Coast Vanishing Coast
Documentary 1965 28 mins Director: John Taylor
The British seaside under threat.

Now Barabbas Was a Robber... Now Barabbas Was a Robber...
Drama 1949 87 mins Director: Gordon Parry
Prison drama focusing on the seamy side of life in post-war Britain.
Featuring Kay Walsh

The Witches The Witches
98 mins Director: Cyril Frankel
Joan Fontaine stars as an ex-missionary drawn to investigate the sinister undercurrents beneath the surface of English village life.
Directed by Charles Frend

Scott of the Antarctic Scott of the Antarctic
Historical drama 1948 110 mins Director: Charles Frend
This tale of adventure and daring was one of Ealing Studio’s most ambitious features, beautifully shot by Jack Cardiff with a Vaughan Williams score.

The Sky-Bike The Sky-Bike
Children's 1967 59 mins Director: Charles Frend
Schoolboy Tom Smith flies a man-powered flying machine to win a handsome prize.
New

Chicken Run Chicken Run
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2000 84 mins Director: Peter Lord
Mel Gibson’s Rocky the rooster helps the chickens escape from fascistic farmers in Aardman Animations first foray into feature films.

Playground [Un Monde] Playground [Un Monde]
Drama 2021 72 mins Director: Laura Wandel
The harsh world of playground politics is seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old girl in a gripping debut from Belgian writer-director Laura Wandel.

Luzzu Luzzu
Drama 2021 95 mins Director: Alex Camilleri
Writer-director Alex Camilleri’s powerful neorealist drama is a rare home-grown Maltese production.

Boys on Film 22: Love to Love You Boys on Film 22: Love to Love You
Anthology 2022 144 mins Director: Oliver Mason
The latest in Peccadillo’s critically acclaimed series features a fresh and exciting selection of the very best contemporary gay short films.

Moon, 66 Questions Moon, 66 Questions
Drama 2021 109 mins Director: Jacqueline Lentzou
A highly anticipated debut feature from Jacqueline Lentzou about the glacial relationship between a father and his daughter.

Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham] Between Two Worlds [Ouistreham]
Drama 2021 106 mins Director: Emmanuel Carrère
Juliette Binoche plays an undercover reporter investigating the conditions faced by France’s working women in this insightful, involving drama.