Father Came Too! (1964) User Reviews

60's slapstick comedy

[Sergiodave · 5/10 · 23 April 2020]

Very average 1960's matinee style comedy starring Leslie Phillips and James Robertson Justice, who were both better in the Doctor movies. Raised a smile, though not a laugh, okay for a wet sunday afternoon

Pretty average matinee fare

[johnners11-707-47855 · 4/10 · 24 June 2020]

In a loose follow-up to the excellent Fast Lady, Stanley Baxter and James Roberson Justice star in this rather lacklustre British comedy. Technically, it's alright, but somehow it never quite gets going like its predecessor. If you're playing British 1960s comedy film bingo, you'll fill your card up by the end of the film: domineering father-in-law, foot in paint bucket, getting stopped by the police, yokels, dodgy workmen, and lots more. Ronnie Barker is the standout performer as the dodgy local workman. But James Robertson-Justice just seems to be phoning it in on this one, and Stanley Baxter, who later went on to play so many diverse parts, just reprises his comically obstinate Scotsman persona for this film. All in all not a bad film, but not a great one, either.

WARM AND CHARMING

[NICK BRADLEY · 9/10 · 20 May 2001]

Yet again a film from a lost era of charm and innocence. The cast act out their respective parts well, and again add warmth and charm to the film. Robertson-justice plays an excellent part (as usual) as the pompous over-bearing Sir Beverly Grant. And, as the newly weds a renovate their cottage, viewers to the film are probably yearning to own a cottage just like it, set in beautiful surroundings.

Smorgasbord of English comedy greats

[opsbooks · 10/10 · 13 January 2006]

For anyone who likes classic Brit sitcoms of the 'As Time Goes By' type, this movie will leave you with lots of laughs and a feeling of bonhomie.

The larger than life James Robertson Justice, better known to fans of the 'Doctor' series of Richard Gordon book-derived movies, is always worth watching. He is one actor whose presence can keep a movie afloat no mater how bad the supporting cast. In this movie, he is ably supported by an excellent cast of English comedians, including the great Hugh Lloyd, Leslie Phillips, Ronnie Barker and so on.

Beautifully photographed unlike many other Brit movies of the 1960s, it holds up well. I'm not aware of a DVD release, but the print screened on free-to-air Sydney TV today was stunning. Look out for it!

father came too...baxter....phillips...robertson justice

[gorytus-20672 · 9/10 · 19 March 2022]

March 2022

I have also reviewed the very similar and equally as likeable film "fast lady" which also starred the same 3 actors as this one, although a totally unrelated film.

Like that one, this is great, so much fun, Ronnie Barker also has a major role, and i just wonder if the Tom Hanks film "money pit" was possibly inspired by this, its a similar story anyway.

Extra notable for me is the main female lead is played by Sally Smith, who i suppose remains largely unknown, but about 5 years after this she did have the starring role in a fun giallo called "naked you die", which i happen to be a fan of.

Great great fun for all the family with many of the usual likeable actors from the period.

9.5 out of 10.

HILARIOUS! (Only incomplete plot)

[petersgrgm · 9/10 · 28 September 2007]

I saw Father Came Too! in a theater specializing in English films. I could empathize with Dexter and Juliet, who were tired of living with Juliet's widower father, Sir Beverly Grant. Dexter called on Roddy Chipfield, a Realtor, who showed him the Rose Cottage near Pillsbury. It was charming but dilapidated, with old well, outdated wiring system, no phone. Mr. Chipfield took a taste of the well water, and said "Pussy's been there already" (reference to the nursery rhyme "Pussy in the Well"). Dexter and Juliet had the place fixed up, which required the hiring of bumbling contractors, one of them dropping the bathtub down the stairs! (That dunce!) If that was not enough, Dexter kept demanding raises, causing him to lose his job. No sooner had the couple settled in their new home when Sir Beverly Grant put 30-ampere fuses in place of 15's. When he and Juliet drove off, leaving Dexter alone (as he expressed dislike for his father-in-law), he turned on all the appliances to prepare breakfast, causing the wires to overheat and set the Rose Cottage on fire. Dexter managed to get to town, finding all the firemen (and all of Pillsbury) involved in a historical pageant. The firemen bumbled the job but did save the Rose Cottage from total destruction; Juliet and her father saw the ruins, at which point she admitted that it was her fault. Finally Mr. Chipfield drove up to say that the Rose Cottage had to come down for new road, so the couple would get all their money back. He gave them the key to another house on other side of hill. Problem was that there was incomplete plot, as whether Dexter got another job is unknown. Still, I loved the flick even if my best friend thought of it as scuzzy.