UP THE CREEK is a highly amusing farcical British comedy set on board a ship singularly lacking in military discipline. David Tomlinson plays the buffoonish lieutenant with a passion for rockets who is tasked with taking over the ship and making it ship-shape, but the crew have other ideas and are nevertheless pre-occupied with their own business matters. This was written and directed by the great Val Guest for Exclusive Films, who were on the cusp of becoming the legendary Hammer Film Studio. It's a surprisingly enjoyable ensemble comedy which is up there with the quality of the early CARRY ONs. The jokes come thick and fast and the situation comedy feels fresh and unusual. Peter Sellers is a hoot as the bosun and doesn't seem overbearing as I've found elsewhere. The exceptional supporting cast includes Wilfrid Hyde-White, Lionel Jeffries, Vera Day, Reginald Beckwith, Michael Goodliffe, Sam Kydd, David Lodge, and Hammer's main man, Michael Ripper, and to a man they're on good form
15 Reviews
Pleasant enough as a time-passer, but nothing more...and like a British version of "McHale's Navy".
planktonrules6 April 2010
Despite being in the Royal Navy, the Lieutenant (David Tomlinson) spends all his time toying with his home-made rockets--with very disastrous results. In fact, he's been bounced from base to base in an attempt to get rid of him. Finally, in a last effort to get him out of the way, he is given his first command...of a ship which is in mothballs. However, what he doesn't know is that during the two years that this aging ship has been without a commander, the crew have run amok--and behaving very, very unlike British sailors. The leader of the commanding officer-less ship has been the CPO (Peter Sellers). The crew are quite reminiscent of the later American TV show "McHale's Navy"--as they scheme, steal and even raise livestock on the boat! Yet, because Tomlinson is pretty daft and focused on his rockets, the crew think that, perhaps, they can continue their wayward ways without his discovering that they're all a group of slackers.
While this is a pleasant enough film, I found one thing a bit annoying--the bouncy soundtrack that was ever-present. It seemed to try very, very hard to create a silly mood--and I don't need the music to keep reminding me this way that it's a comedy--sort of like having a laugh track. Perhaps others won't find this so noticeable, but I sure did.
Tomlinson was nice in the lead as was Sellers, though his performance was more subdued than usual--though the more of his films you see, the more you'll see that he did perform quite a few of these sort of roles in the 1950s.
As for the film, it's not particularly good though it isn't a bad time-passer if you haven't got anything better to do. The plot is a bit far-fetched and silly (not in a good way) and the ending too kooky. But otherwise it's harmless enough. But don't assume that because this is a British comedy of the 1950s that it's anything close to the quality of an Ealing film! Yes, the Brits did manage to make some mediocre comedies during this era and this is one of them.
While this is a pleasant enough film, I found one thing a bit annoying--the bouncy soundtrack that was ever-present. It seemed to try very, very hard to create a silly mood--and I don't need the music to keep reminding me this way that it's a comedy--sort of like having a laugh track. Perhaps others won't find this so noticeable, but I sure did.
Tomlinson was nice in the lead as was Sellers, though his performance was more subdued than usual--though the more of his films you see, the more you'll see that he did perform quite a few of these sort of roles in the 1950s.
As for the film, it's not particularly good though it isn't a bad time-passer if you haven't got anything better to do. The plot is a bit far-fetched and silly (not in a good way) and the ending too kooky. But otherwise it's harmless enough. But don't assume that because this is a British comedy of the 1950s that it's anything close to the quality of an Ealing film! Yes, the Brits did manage to make some mediocre comedies during this era and this is one of them.
This is what happens when the inmates run the asylum.
mark.waltz24 June 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A clever and funny cast boosts up an otherwise unbelievable comedy about a navy ship handed over to a blithering fool. Lt. Humphrey Fairweather (David Tomlinson) doesn't have a clue as to what it means to be a leader, so when he's paired with an equally foolish boson (Peter Sellers), the results don't just sink ships. They drain the sea. Tomlinson and Sellers aren't intentionally trying to cause trouble, but it's obvious that with a pig and a chicken as the ship's mascots, they are about as likely to succeed in their mission as a rotten egg is going to make a satisfying breakfast.
There are a few laughs around (it wouldn't be hard to get some with Tomlinson and Sellers), and the supporting cast (which also includes Wilfred Hyde-White and Lionel Jeffries) is certainly fun as well. But it's a nonsensical plot with a bunch of twists I found somewhat eye rolling at times. The way a ship does actually sink in this does get a laugh only because it is played out to be completely unbelievable scientifically, and that in itself does create a fun sight gag. Sellers has a strange accent (far from his more well known Inspector Clouseau) but manages not to be an over-the-top ham. Fortunately not overlong which makes it easy to get through, but it will be forgotten about within half an hour.
There are a few laughs around (it wouldn't be hard to get some with Tomlinson and Sellers), and the supporting cast (which also includes Wilfred Hyde-White and Lionel Jeffries) is certainly fun as well. But it's a nonsensical plot with a bunch of twists I found somewhat eye rolling at times. The way a ship does actually sink in this does get a laugh only because it is played out to be completely unbelievable scientifically, and that in itself does create a fun sight gag. Sellers has a strange accent (far from his more well known Inspector Clouseau) but manages not to be an over-the-top ham. Fortunately not overlong which makes it easy to get through, but it will be forgotten about within half an hour.
Minor British Comedy.
david-69730 August 2004
One of a hoard of service comedies that hit the British cinema screens in the late '50's, early '60's, 'Up The Creek' is far from being the best or most memorable. Basically it is a cross between radio's 'The Navy Lark' and the later 'Watch Your Stern' , with a bit of 'Bilko' mixed in, as 'silly ass' David Tomlinson, a rocket mad navy officer, is given command of a navy vessel and forced to contend with the schemes of his Chief Petty Officer (Peter Sellers).
Sellers is perhaps the main reason for watching this movie and its fun to see him in this, his very first starring role. But, to be honest, it's probably his least memorable performance of this period, never reaching the heights of his work in 'The Naked Truth' or 'The Battle Of The Sexes' (to name just two).
A good supporting cast helps deliver the laughs, while the under-rated Val Guest directs efficiently. The movie is fun while it is on, but ultimately it is a bit anonymous (it could be any one of a number of similar movies) and fails to live on in the memory.
Sellers is perhaps the main reason for watching this movie and its fun to see him in this, his very first starring role. But, to be honest, it's probably his least memorable performance of this period, never reaching the heights of his work in 'The Naked Truth' or 'The Battle Of The Sexes' (to name just two).
A good supporting cast helps deliver the laughs, while the under-rated Val Guest directs efficiently. The movie is fun while it is on, but ultimately it is a bit anonymous (it could be any one of a number of similar movies) and fails to live on in the memory.
agreeable comedy
myriamlenys8 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Left to their own devices, the crew of a rarely used ship have gathered round their canny bosun. Inspired by the man's creative ideas, they have started exploring the various commercial opportunities provided by their posting. Their flourishing enterprise is threatened by the arrival of a new commanding officer who is both honest and idealistic...
"Up the creek" is a witty comedy in a traditionally British vein. The comedy pokes civilized fun at Her Majesty's Navy and its age-old traditions, such as the doling out of rum. (Here, the rum flows by the barrel.) Much of the humor derives from the upending of normal values. For instance, the inhabitants of the nearby village are unanimous in their praise for the sterling lads working on the ship. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that they're not commending the men for their sea-going skills, their naval discipline or their fighting gallantry, but for their promptness in delivering illicit eggs or pork pies.
Sadly one can see the movie's ending coming from a long, a very long way off. A bit more inventiveness might have done wonders.
The success of "Up the creek" inspired a follow-up movie called "Further up the creek", unfortunately without the participation of Peter Sellers. The second movie starts from the same premise - a Navy ship run by profiteers, con men and grifters - but tells a tale about an official business trip being disguised as a cruise for discerning tourists. "Further up the creek" isn't bad, but I'd rate it somewhat lower than its predecessor - let's say six stars.
"Up the creek" is a witty comedy in a traditionally British vein. The comedy pokes civilized fun at Her Majesty's Navy and its age-old traditions, such as the doling out of rum. (Here, the rum flows by the barrel.) Much of the humor derives from the upending of normal values. For instance, the inhabitants of the nearby village are unanimous in their praise for the sterling lads working on the ship. Upon closer examination, it becomes clear that they're not commending the men for their sea-going skills, their naval discipline or their fighting gallantry, but for their promptness in delivering illicit eggs or pork pies.
Sadly one can see the movie's ending coming from a long, a very long way off. A bit more inventiveness might have done wonders.
The success of "Up the creek" inspired a follow-up movie called "Further up the creek", unfortunately without the participation of Peter Sellers. The second movie starts from the same premise - a Navy ship run by profiteers, con men and grifters - but tells a tale about an official business trip being disguised as a cruise for discerning tourists. "Further up the creek" isn't bad, but I'd rate it somewhat lower than its predecessor - let's say six stars.
An interesting watch.
plan9914 November 2023
Not the funniest film ever made but it's entertaining enough throughout its running time. This film probably has some basis in fact as the UK armed forces are well known for the enormous wasting of money on equipment that is of poor quality or does not operate as it should so forgetting about a ship for a few years is entirely possible.
I'm not all that keen on farce films but this one was OK as it wasn't overdone as it often the case, more of a situation comedy than an all out farce.
Worth watching by fans of 1950s UK comedies featuring an early appearance of Peter Sellers who had not yet fully developed the type that he became famous for later that I don't enjoy watching, so he was OK in this.
I'm not all that keen on farce films but this one was OK as it wasn't overdone as it often the case, more of a situation comedy than an all out farce.
Worth watching by fans of 1950s UK comedies featuring an early appearance of Peter Sellers who had not yet fully developed the type that he became famous for later that I don't enjoy watching, so he was OK in this.
Oh Mr Porter ! was much better
moraynichol-358961 September 2022
This is the same story as Oh Mr Porter ! In which an incompetent idiot gets posted to a sleepy location to keep him out of harms way. He then becomes involved in all sorts of trouble.
Val Guest, the director, was one of the writers on the original and even copies a couple of lines word-for-word. The other film is a true classic and this one is interesting but that's all. There were many films produced around this time often containing the same group of actors. Lionel Jeffries, David Lodge, Sam Kydd (of course), Patrick Cargill, and others. It's always good to see David Tomlinson and Wilfred Hyde-White. Peter Seller's character doesn't work, at least, for me. I was pleased to see it.
Val Guest, the director, was one of the writers on the original and even copies a couple of lines word-for-word. The other film is a true classic and this one is interesting but that's all. There were many films produced around this time often containing the same group of actors. Lionel Jeffries, David Lodge, Sam Kydd (of course), Patrick Cargill, and others. It's always good to see David Tomlinson and Wilfred Hyde-White. Peter Seller's character doesn't work, at least, for me. I was pleased to see it.
Up the Creek
Prismark1014 November 2023
Val Guest directs this movie that owes a debt to Sergeant Bilko from The Phil Silvers Show.
Peter Sellers is Chief Petty Officer Doherty running get rich schemes on the understaffed mothballed Royal Navy vessel, HMS Berkeley.
It has had no commanding officer for several years and moored at a wharf near the village of Meadows End. The small crew keep animals. They sell naval rum and cigarettes to the local pub. Make food and do the laundry for the villagers. Doherty even claims wages for some non existent crew members.
All this is about to come to an end when hapless Lt Humphrey Fairweather (David Tomlinson) is posted there by the horse racing mad Admiral.
Fairweather caused chaos and damage with each rocket he builds as a sideline. This is a way to keep him out of harms way.
Having not much idea in commanding a ship, Doherty connives Fairweather to let him continue with his schemes. Then one day the Admirals visits for a surprise inspection.
There is not much comedy or much originality. The story is threadbare but worth watching for an early appearance by Peter Sellers.
Peter Sellers is Chief Petty Officer Doherty running get rich schemes on the understaffed mothballed Royal Navy vessel, HMS Berkeley.
It has had no commanding officer for several years and moored at a wharf near the village of Meadows End. The small crew keep animals. They sell naval rum and cigarettes to the local pub. Make food and do the laundry for the villagers. Doherty even claims wages for some non existent crew members.
All this is about to come to an end when hapless Lt Humphrey Fairweather (David Tomlinson) is posted there by the horse racing mad Admiral.
Fairweather caused chaos and damage with each rocket he builds as a sideline. This is a way to keep him out of harms way.
Having not much idea in commanding a ship, Doherty connives Fairweather to let him continue with his schemes. Then one day the Admirals visits for a surprise inspection.
There is not much comedy or much originality. The story is threadbare but worth watching for an early appearance by Peter Sellers.
"Actually it's the "Fairweather Falcon Mk2 sir".
ianlouisiana8 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Today the Royal Navy could ill afford to lose any ship,even one as badly run and decrepit as "HMS Barclay".In 1958 it was quite feasible for it to have disappeared from the radar without being noticed by The Admiralty. By the time the rather elderly Lt Fairweather is posted there in desperation by Their Lordships,the crew have been leading a bucolic existence for two years under the benign dictatorship of C.P.O. Docherty. A wily veteran,his dismay is soon tempered by the revelation that the new skipper is the clearly loopy inventor of a guided missile he calls the "Fairweather Falcon Mk2",the Mk1's unfortunate fate being the reason for his exile to his new command. With the unquenchable confidence of the deluded,Lt Fairweather continues with his unofficial experiments in return for a laissez - faire arrangement with his bewildered crew.All goes well until a senior officer turns up for a last trip on the ship that was his first command. The rest you can make up for yourself - to be honest it's virtually immaterial.The success of "Up the creek",like so many of its ilk, depends on the deft playing of its cast.No strangers to service comedies,they valiantly play above and beyond the call of duty and do their respective things to our complete satisfaction.Peter Sellers does a splendid CPO Docherty,smart as a whip with a spot - on accent.It is one of my personal favourites of his early performances,before he started looking for deeper meanings in his parts and he was just funny and likable.David Tomlinson comfortably dons his middle - class buffoon outfit,Wilfred Hyde - White smiles benignly and Lionel Jeffries as "Steady" Barker is very funny indeed. I laughed wholeheartedly at "Up The Creek" in 1958 and the subsequent passing of time has only added poignancy to the laughter. It's a lovely little film that you should watch if only to see what made your grandparents turn out twice a week whatever the weather and sit with wet clothes in a smoke - filled cinema and come out feeling happy.
Guest plagurising himself
malcolmgsw22 October 2022
As has been mentioned by a previous reviewer,Val Guest,a co writer for Oh Mr Porter,has used some of the situations and lines from Oh Mr Porter in this film. The problem is that unlike Oh Mr Porter this film is not very funny. Furthermore David Tomlinson,who had high opinion of himself,which i do not share is no match for Will Hay. Peter Sellers gives a rather bland and disappointing performance particularly when compared with his performance in The Naked Truth. There are a lot of reliable character actors on hand to give him support such as Lionel jeffries,Sam kydd,Wilfred Hyde White. For some reason,probably economy,a completely unkown continental actress was chosen for the female lead. Mediocre at best.
David Tomlinson Is All At Sea
boblipton7 October 2019
When Lieutenant David Tomlinson tests out his rocket and it destroys his superior's bathroom, Admiral Wilfred Hyde-White can't court-martial him; Tomlinson has family connections. So, in the best traditions of Her Majesty's Navy, he's promoted to command of a ship. True, it's part of the mothball fleet, and true, it doesn't have the full complement. That doesn't stuff bosun Peter Sellers from drawing rations and pay for the missing sailors, selling them to the locals, and running some money-making operations besides.
It's a type of service comedy very familiar to those of us who grew up in the 1960s with TV shows like F TROOP. Writer-director Val Guest may have started out doing music-hall sort of movie farces, but this one has a nice satiric bite about Navy wastage, as well as a full complement of skilled comic actors, including Lionel Jeffries, and Peter Pettingell.
It's a type of service comedy very familiar to those of us who grew up in the 1960s with TV shows like F TROOP. Writer-director Val Guest may have started out doing music-hall sort of movie farces, but this one has a nice satiric bite about Navy wastage, as well as a full complement of skilled comic actors, including Lionel Jeffries, and Peter Pettingell.
service comedy with Sellers
funkyfry4 November 2009
Warning: Spoilers
There's nothing all too great or too horrible about this mid 50s service comedy that was distributed by Hammer Films in "Hammerscope" -- seemingly the only reason for this film to be widescreen is so that the giant missile that the main character (David Tomlinson) is working on will fit in the frame. Or maybe they wrote in a giant rocket because they were shooting it wide. This is such an arbitrary film that I wouldn't doubt it.
Now obviously the main reason to watch this film today is Peter Sellers, who is second-billed as CPO Doherty. Sellers plays a man who has developed an elaborate scheme of graft on a dry-docked battleship; Tomlinson is a bumbling superior officer who is put in charge of the ship. There are some good fun moments when Sellers and his compatriots are trying to hide their skimming and make excuses for what they're doing, such as claiming that the pig in the rec-room is actually the ship's mascot. When Tomlinson figures out the scam and orders them to get rid of the pig and the chickens, Sellers very slyly has his men serve bacon and roast chicken to the officer so that he feels guilty (assuming that they just fried up the ship mascot).
I assume that maybe this movie was funnier at the time it was released. I guess there are probably jokes about food rationing and that type of thing that an American like myself born in the 1970s would have trouble understanding. But frankly I don't think that was much of a gem even when it was released. It's not a film with any cinematic ambitions or with any real ideas. The director Val Guest, who went on to make some of Hammer Films' most interesting and intelligent sci-fi and horror films ("The Quatermass Xperiment", "Abominable Snowman", etc.) is on autopilot here. Sellers' character work never reaches the manic levels that make him really interesting. Tomlinson seems to me painfully unfunny, and it's hard to understand how he was a comedy star at any time and in any place. But there are enough moments of light situational comedy, thanks particularly to Sellers and to Wilfrid Hyde-White (who I recognized from his prominent role in "My Fair Lady" a few years after this film) that it's pleasant enough to sit through even today.
Now obviously the main reason to watch this film today is Peter Sellers, who is second-billed as CPO Doherty. Sellers plays a man who has developed an elaborate scheme of graft on a dry-docked battleship; Tomlinson is a bumbling superior officer who is put in charge of the ship. There are some good fun moments when Sellers and his compatriots are trying to hide their skimming and make excuses for what they're doing, such as claiming that the pig in the rec-room is actually the ship's mascot. When Tomlinson figures out the scam and orders them to get rid of the pig and the chickens, Sellers very slyly has his men serve bacon and roast chicken to the officer so that he feels guilty (assuming that they just fried up the ship mascot).
I assume that maybe this movie was funnier at the time it was released. I guess there are probably jokes about food rationing and that type of thing that an American like myself born in the 1970s would have trouble understanding. But frankly I don't think that was much of a gem even when it was released. It's not a film with any cinematic ambitions or with any real ideas. The director Val Guest, who went on to make some of Hammer Films' most interesting and intelligent sci-fi and horror films ("The Quatermass Xperiment", "Abominable Snowman", etc.) is on autopilot here. Sellers' character work never reaches the manic levels that make him really interesting. Tomlinson seems to me painfully unfunny, and it's hard to understand how he was a comedy star at any time and in any place. But there are enough moments of light situational comedy, thanks particularly to Sellers and to Wilfrid Hyde-White (who I recognized from his prominent role in "My Fair Lady" a few years after this film) that it's pleasant enough to sit through even today.
Early Sellers in a very good military spoof
SimonJack24 October 2015
Comedies about military service were common during the 1950s and 1960s. In Hollywood, most tended to be big film efforts, while in England, they were mostly B films. But that takes nothing away from the entertainment of those films on the east side of the pond. Indeed, "Up the Creek" is a gem of a British comedy. The film is something of a spoof of the Royal Navy in the time after World War II.
This is one of Peter Sellers' first full-length films in a starring role. David Tomlinson is very good as Lt. Humphrey Fairweather. All of the supporting cast are very good. But, Sellers, who has second billing behind Tomlinson, steals the show as the boatswain (bosun), Chef Petty Officer Doherty. To the men of his crew, who can be remarkably sharp when the situation calls for military decorum, Doherty is called "boss." And for good reason. I won't say why that is, because it's part of the humorous plot.
Hollywood made a number of military comedies with big-name stars and the budgets and trimmings to go with them. Among the best of these were "Kiss Them for Me" of 1957 with Cary Grant, "Operation Petticoat" of 1959 with Grant and Tony Curtis, "Wake Me When it's Over" of 1960, "The Wackiest Ship in the Army," of 1960, and "The Horizontal Lieutenant" of 1962.
But none of those were as funny as "Up the Creek." Four years after this British film came out, the military comedy show, "McHale's Navy" began airing on ABC TV in the U.S. It has an uncanny resemblance to this earlier British movie. "McHale's Navy" was highly popular and indeed, very funny. It led to a movie in 1964 with some of the same cast.
Life aboard the H.M.S. Barclay wasn't all that bad for a time. Watch this movie if you get the chance, and I'm sure you'll agree.
This is one of Peter Sellers' first full-length films in a starring role. David Tomlinson is very good as Lt. Humphrey Fairweather. All of the supporting cast are very good. But, Sellers, who has second billing behind Tomlinson, steals the show as the boatswain (bosun), Chef Petty Officer Doherty. To the men of his crew, who can be remarkably sharp when the situation calls for military decorum, Doherty is called "boss." And for good reason. I won't say why that is, because it's part of the humorous plot.
Hollywood made a number of military comedies with big-name stars and the budgets and trimmings to go with them. Among the best of these were "Kiss Them for Me" of 1957 with Cary Grant, "Operation Petticoat" of 1959 with Grant and Tony Curtis, "Wake Me When it's Over" of 1960, "The Wackiest Ship in the Army," of 1960, and "The Horizontal Lieutenant" of 1962.
But none of those were as funny as "Up the Creek." Four years after this British film came out, the military comedy show, "McHale's Navy" began airing on ABC TV in the U.S. It has an uncanny resemblance to this earlier British movie. "McHale's Navy" was highly popular and indeed, very funny. It led to a movie in 1964 with some of the same cast.
Life aboard the H.M.S. Barclay wasn't all that bad for a time. Watch this movie if you get the chance, and I'm sure you'll agree.
Typical low-rent `50s British comedy. (SPOILERS!)
zardoz122 January 2004
Warning: Spoilers
"Up the Creek" features the sort of plot sitcom writers co-opted and reuse to this very day: the clueless owner/manager/heir who buys/is posted/inherits a ship/motel/manor where the crew/staff/butlers are running all sorts of private "industries" on the side without the owner/manager/heir's knowledge. Then the owner/manager/heir finds out, and "hilarious hi-jinks" ensue. In this version, a certain rocket-obsessed Royal Navy Lieutenant Fairweather has been blowing up naval bases with his homebuilt experimental missiles. Because he is related to the First Sea Lord (the British equivalent of the Secretary of the Navy,) the Admiralty posts him to a Reserve Fleet ship in the wilds of Suffolk. The vessel is the HMS Barclay, an ancient sloop manned by a skeleton crew and "captained" by a wheeler-dealer Irish bo'sun. The ship has been without a captain for two years, and during that time he and the 11-man crew have developed a number of services and products which they sell in the nearby village. Fairweather's arrival puts a crimp in the style of "Barclay Industries, Ltd.", but as long as the crew indulges Fairweather in his plan to make the bridge into a launching platform for his ten-foot rocket, they can camoflage their deliveries in town. However, everything comes to a head as a horserace-obsessed admiral comes to the Navy base to do a quick inspection before hitting the track, but before that he wants soak up the nostalgia of touring his first command...the HMS Barclay. What happens next is like watching one of those monster Japanese domino displays in action.
What really drew my interest were the actors. While "Up the Creek" is programmatic, the cast features David Tomlinson (later immortalized as Mr. Banks, the head of the household in Disney's "Mary Poppins") and Peter Sellers as the Bo'sun. At this period of his career Sellers was switching from playing supporting roles as British "ethnics", Americans, or drag characters to carrying entire movies ("The Mouse that Roared" was made after this, I think.) Both Sellers and Tomlinson make the film work, and the quick pace covers for the shopworn plot. A good rainy day movie.
What really drew my interest were the actors. While "Up the Creek" is programmatic, the cast features David Tomlinson (later immortalized as Mr. Banks, the head of the household in Disney's "Mary Poppins") and Peter Sellers as the Bo'sun. At this period of his career Sellers was switching from playing supporting roles as British "ethnics", Americans, or drag characters to carrying entire movies ("The Mouse that Roared" was made after this, I think.) Both Sellers and Tomlinson make the film work, and the quick pace covers for the shopworn plot. A good rainy day movie.
An amiable farce
JohnHowardReid24 July 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Producer: Henry Halsted. Made at New Elstree Studios, England, by Byron Film Productions. Photographed in black-and-white Hammerscope.
Copyright 1958 by Byron Film Productions. U.S. release through Dominant Pictures Corporation. New York opening at the 55th Street Playhouse: 10 November 1958. U.S. release: August 1959 (sic). U.K. release through Warner Bros Pictures: 15 June 1958. Australian release through Warner Bros: 4 June 1959 (sic). 7,478 feet. 83 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: British Naval officer Humphrey Fairweather has an uncontrollable passion for building guided missiles. Unfortunately, they are constantly going off at the wrong time and causing considerable damage. Finally, as a last resort, the Admiralty places him in command of an ancient destroyer, H. M. S. Berkeley, the oldest member of the "Mothball Fleet." The ship's crew, for two years without a skipper, becomes somewhat alarmed at the news for they have built up a highly profitable business with the local village. "Berkeley Enterprises" runs a laundry service, sells eggs hatched by chickens kept on the bridge, and offers ship's paint at cut rates, etc.
NOTES: Although it did little business in Africa, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and was lucky to earn an extremely modest profit in the U.S.A., the film was such a big box-office hit in Britain that it earned a sequel: "Further Up the Creek" (1959).
VIEWERS' GUIDE: The British censor has classified this film as suitable for everyone. Admittedly, the film does condone immoral behavior in the forms of contempt for authority and the miss-use of public funds and property. It's true also that children rarely understand or appreciate satiric exaggeration, but often accept these situations as perfectly "normal". So, despite the censor's commendation, a word of warning.
COMMENT: An amiable farce which keeps its amusing situations bubbling through the collective efforts of a large and gifted group of comic players. The director has seen to it that just about all have their opportunities to provide entertainment. And he uses the wide anamorphic screen capably to re-enforce the many delightful near-misses of slapstick action.
Presumably Hammer had some money in this movie (the sequel is officially Hammer), which accounts for the high standard of technical and production values.
Copyright 1958 by Byron Film Productions. U.S. release through Dominant Pictures Corporation. New York opening at the 55th Street Playhouse: 10 November 1958. U.S. release: August 1959 (sic). U.K. release through Warner Bros Pictures: 15 June 1958. Australian release through Warner Bros: 4 June 1959 (sic). 7,478 feet. 83 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: British Naval officer Humphrey Fairweather has an uncontrollable passion for building guided missiles. Unfortunately, they are constantly going off at the wrong time and causing considerable damage. Finally, as a last resort, the Admiralty places him in command of an ancient destroyer, H. M. S. Berkeley, the oldest member of the "Mothball Fleet." The ship's crew, for two years without a skipper, becomes somewhat alarmed at the news for they have built up a highly profitable business with the local village. "Berkeley Enterprises" runs a laundry service, sells eggs hatched by chickens kept on the bridge, and offers ship's paint at cut rates, etc.
NOTES: Although it did little business in Africa, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and was lucky to earn an extremely modest profit in the U.S.A., the film was such a big box-office hit in Britain that it earned a sequel: "Further Up the Creek" (1959).
VIEWERS' GUIDE: The British censor has classified this film as suitable for everyone. Admittedly, the film does condone immoral behavior in the forms of contempt for authority and the miss-use of public funds and property. It's true also that children rarely understand or appreciate satiric exaggeration, but often accept these situations as perfectly "normal". So, despite the censor's commendation, a word of warning.
COMMENT: An amiable farce which keeps its amusing situations bubbling through the collective efforts of a large and gifted group of comic players. The director has seen to it that just about all have their opportunities to provide entertainment. And he uses the wide anamorphic screen capably to re-enforce the many delightful near-misses of slapstick action.
Presumably Hammer had some money in this movie (the sequel is officially Hammer), which accounts for the high standard of technical and production values.
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