General Cecil Parker's last posting is somewhere in the remotest part of Scotland. He and his wife, Joan Greenwood, are looking forward to their retirement, but the government has gotten niggardly with its superannuated heroes, and their are trying to come up with extra money to make their post-army life more comfortable. Miss Greenwood suggests selling off some army equipment and pocketing the ready, which shocks the general. He's off to America to witness some tests, so while he is gone, she turns the estate they are living on into a guest house, with the connivance of Corporal Ian Carmichael as majordomo, and giggling Liz Fraser as the housemaid. Various other army personnel fill in roles, and the tips from lecherous Americans keep everyone happy.
It's hard to tell whether this Bilko-like service comedy is meant to satirize the peacetime army, the ugly American, or the venality of modern society. Perhaps it's all three. The mechanical farcical elements are well handled, and Miss Greenwood's posh accents contrast beautifully with her mercenary attitude. Antony Kimmins' direction is snappy and silly, and that, at its heart, seems saddest of of. Still, viewed as a heartless comedy, it is certainly funny.
It's hard to tell whether this Bilko-like service comedy is meant to satirize the peacetime army, the ugly American, or the venality of modern society. Perhaps it's all three. The mechanical farcical elements are well handled, and Miss Greenwood's posh accents contrast beautifully with her mercenary attitude. Antony Kimmins' direction is snappy and silly, and that, at its heart, seems saddest of of. Still, viewed as a heartless comedy, it is certainly funny.