karl-a-hughes Reviews

Rock You Sinners (1958)

Yes it's bad, but it's interesting

[2/10 · 13 July 2018]

This is a rather weak film with litte to no story line and really rather poor acting. It's simply a vehicle to present a succession of British rock 'n' roll bands from 1958. What strikes me as odd is that none of the acts presented are either famous or particularly good. I'm guessing that this would be just the type of music that my parents would have gone out rockin' and rollin' to of a Saturday evening down at the local dance hall. So, if you want to see a succession of competent amateur performers doing their bit, this film is for you.

Times were changing, and it's clear that most of the actors were too old to be digging this kind of music, but then, at this time rock and roll wasn't always being performed by youngsters. As with other music films of this pre-Beatles era it captures a time when people seemed happy to drink coffee from glass mugs, and click their fingers in time to the groovy rhythm.

This is fascinating to watch, but ultimately it's a poor film.

Tears for Simon (1956)

Entertaining who's who of British film making

[7/10 · 13 July 2018]

I really enjoyed this film, especially being able to spot so many character actors in small roles. Early appearances for Barbara Windsor and Joan Sims, and appearances by Joan Hickson, Marianne Stone and Dandy Nichols (all would appear in Carry On films). Seeing Marianne in this film makes me realise it's a shame that she never went on to have larger comedy parts.

This film might have been better if the parents had been played by British character actors rather than American, and it leaves me wondering who I'd have chosen as the well-to-do parents if I was able to cast. Dirk Bogarde and Julie Christie maybe?

As others have said, despite the subject matter this film is carried off quite light heartedly, and the colour photography is lovely. Well worth 90 minutes of your life.

ITV Playhouse: The Best Pair of Legs in the Business (1968) Season 1, Episode 12

Reg Varney off the buses

[6/10 · 4 November 2014]

This play, originally an ITV Play of the Day, is a bonus feature on the complete box set of On The Buses. It's interesting to see Reg Varney acting in a straight role (straight as in not comedy) as the cabaret act in a small caravan park. It's a low-budget, almost kitchen sink drama portraying the break up of Sherry's (Reg Varney's character) marriage. As someone who only knows Reg Varney from his comedy roles this is a refreshing treat, Reg turns out to be rather good here. There are a few familiar faces in the supporting cast, and although Reg stars his role does not dominate. This drama is certainly not a comedy, so don't expect something along the lines of The Rag Trade or On The Buses, instead you can expect something more like early Ken Loach. To find this drama on the complete On The Buses box set is odd as this won't naturally appeal to OTB fans. On the other hand, someone looking to search out low-key plays from the 60s is likely not to enjoy On The Buses. Worth seeking out and watching.

Carry on Behind (1975)

The last really good Carry On.

[9/10 · 15 August 2013]

I'm a dissenting voice in the crowd as I actually rather like this late entry in the Carry On series. In fact, I'd probably have it in my top 5 Carry Ons.

There were so many reasons why this entry should have been below par. The previous film in the series, Dick, saw the last appearances of Sid James, Barbara Windsor and Hatties Jacques (we'd already just lost Charles Hawtrey) and importantly this film was the first in a very long time not to have been scripted by master of the double-entendre, Talbot Rothwell. There were only three Carry Ons after this one, and they were all seriously bad. On paper, this is the film where it should have gone wrong, but instead what we have is a likable film full of Carry On humour. It feels like a natural sequel to Carry On Camping. It's a roughly 50:50 cast split between Carry On regulars (Williams, Sims, Bresslaw and Connor) and newcomers (Davies, Posta, Lavendar), and there's a guest star thrown in, Elke Sommer. I've never been a great fan of guests in Carry Ons as they inevitably don't 'fit in' with the crew (like them or loathe them, Ted Ray, Harry H Corbett, Phil Silvers and Frankie Howerd all kind of stood-out as not quite being in the Carry On mould). Elke, playing a Russian archaeologist, adds greatly to this film, and she gets quite a lot of the funny lines, mostly from her misinterpretation of English words.

Although I very much like this film it isn't without its faults. The plot is thinner than usual and the ending is poor (there isn't really a story to conclude at all). I'm not a prude, but there are blatant breasts on display; the Carry Ons always seemed better when they were more innocent. Technically the film is shoddy, with an awful lot of dialogue having been added after filming - at several points the cast speak without even having to move their lips! But there's plenty to enjoy here, cameos from Marianne Stone and David Lodge, a larger role than usual for Patsy Rowlands, music by Eric Rogers, and the English love of life in caravans and under canvas.

Heartily recommended, the last great Carry On.

The Duke Wore Jeans (1958)

Cheerful musical

[5/10 · 6 August 2013]

I watched this movie as it's from the Rogers/Thomas stable that went on to make the Carry On films. Tommy Steele appears in two roles and seems to be able to handle the acting rather well for a pop star, his cheerful personality certainly helps to keep the momentum going in this picture.

The musical numbers get simple production, there are no large dance routines here. Part of the fun with a musical is guessing when songs will appear, so you can bet your bottom dollar that when Tommy is being shown around a guitar factory, well, yes - he gets presented with a guitar and starts to sing.

This is a lighthearted film, but not a comedy. The support cast do a good turn in keeping this moving, but this is not a film to watch for spotting familiar faces of English comedy.

I've given this film a 5 as it's passable entertainment, an interesting outing from the Carry On production team in their early years. The songs, written by Lionel Bart, who would go on to write Oliver!, are not too bad, and there are even one or two hit songs in the film. Interestingly Eric Rogers, who composed for most of the Carry On films had a role in the orchestration for Oliver! (he had nothing to do with this film, the composing honour here went to Bruce Montgomery).

All in all, old fashioned, pleasant, unexciting. Worth a try.

A Home of Your Own (1965)

Silent - apart from the music.

[8/10 · 25 June 2013]

The existing reviews of this film identify many of the points which make this a really enjoyable way to spend 45 minutes. The film is a wonderful time capsule, showing how houses were built in the UK in the 1960s. The film has a lovely collection of familiar faces from the world of British comedy.

What has not been mentioned is the sound track. This is one of the iconic "silent" comedy films of the 1960s, two of the others include San Ferry Ann and The Plank, but this is probably the original and best. The score for this film was by the accomplished Ron Goodwin, who found most fame for composing for war films (633 Squadron and Battle of Britain) and Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines. The music adds greatly to this film, with various themes being used for each of the characters. The music is well arranged to fit in with what is happening on the screen, and adds to the humour. Ron would later go on to conduct the music for San Ferry Ann and to compose the music for The Early Bird (a Norman Wisdom comedy which has a near 15 minute 'silent' introduction).

This is a great little film and highly recommended.

That Riviera Touch (1966)

Poor outing for one of UK TV's favourite comic pairs.

[2/10 · 27 May 2011]

As many have said, this is a woefully disappointing film. That two of UK's favourite TV comedians (albeit not two of my favourites) could appear in such an unfunny movie is a terrible shame. The script and comic situations quite simply fall short of the mark needed to be funny, and although Eric's boisterous on-screen personality sometimes lifts a laugh from the creaky material you are left wishing for some original witty lines to appear.

The supporting cast is almost entirely devoid of those stalwarts of British comedy films that help to glean laughs from mediocre material. Perhaps appearances from the like of John le Mesurier or Irene Handl would have helped to lift this film, but as things are we are left to a string of character actors that don't know how to play at comedy.

The score is by the masterful Ron Goodwin, and this adds some momentum to the proceedings; much needed but ultimately wasted.

In short, this film is really only for fans of Eric and Ernie, and even then, you'd be better searching out their TV material.

Smashing Time (1967)

Pop madness from the groovy streets of 60s London

[7/10 · 9 May 2011]

I watched this film in its entirety on Youtube (May 2011) and am glad that I did. This film is a time capsule of the styles and faces of the mid-late 1960s and of 'groovy' London. The film offers a cornucopia of great faces of British comedy, all of which add to the mayhem of a loosely directed, pie-in-your-face slapstick comedy.

This film presents you with several extended pie-fight sequences, sixties songs (none of which are famous) and lots and lots of London scenery, the film being shot entirely on location. None of the cast are taking this film seriously and the result is actually quite funny, and adequately entertaining to hold attention for 100 minutes. Rather than feel dated this film is more of a time capsule of an era some 45 years old.

In short, the film is good humoured and worth seeking out. Play spot the actor and cringe at the naff songs which are interspersed throughout the movie. It's too much.

Dentist on the Job (1961)

Mediocre British comedy

[5/10 · 22 November 2007]

The cast of this film are familiar names to fans of British comedy, with major roles going to Eric Barker, Kenneth Connor and Bob Monkhouse, amongst others. Stylistically this film is more a precursor to the Talbot Rothwell era of Carry On films than a nod back to the Doctor films as there is quite a dependence on double entendre (you know the thought of thing, dentist says to girl "I want you on that couch"). Some of the jokes are lifted straight from a Bob Monkhouse stand-up comedy performance, and they show, but there are genuinely funny moments in this film. Some of the slapstick sequences also work quite well, although they are a little reminiscent of the kind of material to be found in a Norman Wisdom film. The highlight of the film was the scene where Shirley Eaton, in a film studio, is in a bath full of foam advertising the company's latest soap product. Watching in the wings is Monkhouse standing next to a very large wind machine. He's leaning on the machine, elbow frighteningly close to the on/off lever. You know just what's going to happen, and it's quite funny when it does.

In a film such as this the plot is secondary and involves two recently graduated dental students falsely lured to work for a toothpaste company. Once they have been hired they discover that they were employed to advertise the toothpaste, not to further their dental careers. Some of the scenes in this film are funny, some are not; it is more hit and miss than the Carry Ons.

Charles Hawtrey has a guest appearance right at the start of the film yet he has the scene stolen from him by an unknown (to me) female actress. Richard Wattis plays the unlikeable corporate bully, Eric Barker the 'barking' boss. A major role goes to Ronnie Stevens, who although does not bring very much to the film, does at least manage to avoid being embarrassing. Bob Monkhouse is the 'handsome' lead; we are expected to believe that hoards of women will melt at his merest uttering. In an ironic way that's perhaps the best joke in the film.

The Ship Was Loaded (1957)

Naval Comedy all at Sea

[3/10 · 20 March 2006]

An admiralty civilian and ship's officer get drunk one evening and swap uniforms. The following morning it is a case of hangovers and mistaken identity as each then knowingly undertakes the other's duties.

If you can get over the incredulity that these two men would allow themselves to be mistaken for each other, and go along with this for a whole day, then there's a chance you might enjoy aspects of this movie. But only a chance! A weak lead performance from Brian Reece, and an annoyingly bombastic yet doddery turn out from AE Matthews don't help this thin comedy. It is some of the cameo performances that steal the film - Joan Hickson and Joan Sims make the most of their bit parts, whilst the scene with Alfie Bass and Ronald Shiner steals the show (it provided the only scene I thought funny). It's a shame this is only about one minute long.

You're Only Young Twice (1952)

Lack of storyline and an unfunny comedy.

[1/10 · 11 March 2006]

Having just watched this film I'm left wondering what was the point of it? It was about a bunch of university students and a university porter, the students didn't get on with one of the senate and the porter was really a well regarded writer. The storyline was confused without any clear sense of direction.

All the cast seemed to put in a reasonable amount of effort, but the script didn't allow us to like any of the characters. Charles Hawtrey, of Carry On fame, always struggled for laughs when he was playing 'a boy' and he shambles through half of this film pretending to be drunk.

I guess this film was made when most of the population had never been to university. Perhaps then film makers could get away with students having an average age of 30+, but today it looks plain silly.

Really this film had no redeeming features, other than I think it was filmed in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow. There are many better ways to spend 80 minutes.

The Mouse on the Moon (1963)

How an amusing film was spoiled

[4/10 · 9 March 2006]

The story line of how the underdog can beat the big boys is well executed, and although this comedy is not hilariously funny the story moves at a sufficient pace to keep the interest levels up. A wonderful array of stalwart British comedy actors march through this film, including a cameo for Frankie Howerd in need of the new public convenience.

Where this film falls down, for me, is in Ron Moody's performance. His overacting singlehandedly turns this from potentially being a good film into one that can't be recommended. As if he were playing to a school of 5 year olds awaiting an episode of Crackerjack, Moody shouts and splashes and blusters his way aimlessly through this movie. Unfortunately he has a lead role. I'm no fan of Peter Sellers, but this film could have been so much more if perhaps the lead role had been given to John le Mesurier or Eric Barker rather than relegating them to small support roles.

Tommy the Toreador (1959)

Unfunny comedy with wasted cast.

[4/10 · 28 February 2006]

It has been a while since I saw this film and remember thinking that this was a wasted cast. Despite the presence of Sid James, Kenneth Williams and Eric Sykes this movie isn't all that funny. Tommy Steele's permanent and inane grin was certainly not an asset to this movie. Either he was a sandwich short of the picnic or he knew that he was getting paid too much for this bad flick. I suspect that it was the latter.

Directed by a name familiar from some of Norman Wisdom's comedies this movie treads uneasily between slap stick and musical without being successful as either. If for nothing else it is worth fans of the Carry Ons watching this just to see Sid James 'singing'. I guess in its day this movie was aimed at the sort of person that 10 years ago would have gone to see Spice World. Despite the desperate attempts to be a cheerful movie this really doesn't do much to lift the spirits.

Carry on Cabby (1963)

Charming Carry On

[8/10 · 24 February 2006]

One of my favourite Carry Ons, despite not being one of the funniest, possibly because this is Hattie Jacques' largest role. Hattie brings a believable element of pathos to the film, something not normally associated with the Carry Ons.

This was the first Carry On that Eric Rogers led the production of the musical score. He was the composer for most of the colour Carry On films, and his music (bells, whistles and kettle drums) became an invaluable asset.

For some reason I just love the line when Charles Hawtrey is introducing himself. 'My friends call me Pint Pot' he says. 'Are you sure it's "pint" pot?' asks Kenneth Connor.