Demobbed | |
---|---|
Directed by | John E. Blakeley |
Written by | Story and scenario: Roney Parsons Anthony Toner original story: Julian Cantor Max Zorlini comedy sequences devised and arranged by: Arthur Mertz |
Produced by | F.W. Baker John E. Blakeley |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Geoffrey Faithfull |
Edited by | Ted Richards |
Music by | Percival Mackey |
Production company | Mancunian Films & Butcher's Film Service (co-production) |
Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service (U.K.) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 96 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Demobbed is a 1944 British comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Norman Evans, Nat Jackley, Gus McNaughton and Dan Young. [1] [2] It was written by Roney Parsons and Anthony Toner from an original story by Julian Cantor and Max Zorlini.
A group of demobbed ex-soldiers find work at a company that makes scientific instruments. When things start to go missing, Norma, a company secretary, enlists their help in tracking down the thieves.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The film might prove amusing to those who like music-hall turns, an Hawaiian dance being quite funny, but during some of the other acts the humour is so grotesque as to make one feel quite uncomfortable." [3]
Kine Weekly wrote: "Rowdy, good-humonured musical comedy burlesque covering the hectic misadventures of four crazy ex-privates in Civvy Street. There is not much of a plot, but the principal comedians make a lively and versatile team, the well-timed music and dance-hall sequences are bright, the climax carries a kick and the technical presentation is above reproach. ... True, the mixture of slapstick, song and music-hall is occasionally rough and ready, but enthusiastic teamwork and first class technical presentation, nevertheless, permit the whole to merge into good-hearted, entertainment-filled comedy burlesque." [4]
TV Guide called it an "Occasionally okay slapstick comedy." [5]
Mister Ten Per Cent is a 1967 British comedy film directed by Peter Graham Scott and starring Charlie Drake, Derek Nimmo and Wanda Ventham. It was written by Mira Avrech, Charlie Drake, Norman Hudis and Lew Schwarz.
I Thank You is a 1941 black and white British comedy film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Arthur Askey, Richard Murdoch, Graham Moffatt and Moore Marriott. The screenplay was by Marriott Edgar and Val Guest. The film was produced by Edward Black at Gainsborough Pictures. The title of the film is the literal version of Arthur Askey's famous catch-phrase which he idiosyncratically pronounced as "Ay-thang-yaw".
Nat Jackley was an English comic actor who starred in revue, variety, film and pantomime from the 1920s to the mid-1980s. His trademark rubber-neck dance, skeletal frame and peculiar speech impediment made him a formidable and funny comedian and pantomime dame. His later years were spent as a character actor in film and television, and appearing in pantomime. Jackley appeared in three Royal Variety shows, topping the bill in summer shows throughout Britain's seaside resorts and in London.
Betty Jumel was a British variety hall entertainer and actress.
Ramsbottom Rides Again is a 1956 British western comedy film produced and directed by John Baxter, starring Arthur Askey, Sid James, Shani Wallis, Betty Marsden and Jerry Desmonde. It was written by Basil Thomas and John Baxter, based on a play by Harold G. Robert, with additional comedy scenes and dialogue by Arthur Askey, Glenn Melvyn and Geoffrey Orme.
They Came to a City is a 1944 British black-and-white film directed by Basil Dearden and starring John Clements, Googie Withers, Raymond Huntley, Renee Gadd and A. E. Matthews. It was adapted from the 1943 play of the same title by J. B. Priestley, and is notable for including a cameo appearance by Priestley as himself.
Stranger in Town is a 1957 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by George Pollock and starring Alex Nicol and Anne Paige. The screenplay was by Edward Dryhurst and Norman Hudis, based on the 1954 novel The Uninivited by Frank Chittenden.
There Was a Crooked Man is a 1960 British comedy film directed by Stuart Burge and starring Norman Wisdom, Alfred Marks, Andrew Cruickshank, Reginald Beckwith and Susannah York. It is based on the James Bridie play The Golden Legend of Schults. The film was one of two independent films in which Wisdom appeared in an effort to extend his range, as British audiences strongly identified him with his Gump character.
Tread Softly is a 1952 British second feature ('B') crime film with musical overtones, directed by David MacDonald and starring Frances Day, Patricia Dainton and John Bentley. It was written by Gerald Verner based on his novel The Show Must Go On. A chorus girl investigates a series of mysterious happenings at a derelict theatre.
Don Chicago is a 1945 British second feature ('B') crime comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Jackie Hunter, Joyce Heron and Claud Allister. The screenplay was by Austin Melford based on the 1944 novel of the same title by C. E. Bechhofer Roberts.
Keep It Clean is a 1956 British black-and-white comedy film directed by David Paltenghi and starring Ronald Shiner and Joan Sims. The screenplay was by Carl Nystrom and R. F. Delderfield.
A Fire Has Been Arranged is a 1935 British comedy film directed by Leslie S. Hiscott and starring Chesney Allen, Bud Flanagan and Alastair Sim. The screenplay was by H. Fowler Mear and Michael Barringer from a story by Mear and James A. Carter. It was made at Twickenham Studios. The film ends with the song "Where the Arches Used To Be".
Under New Management, also known as Honeymoon Hotel, is a 1946 British comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Nat Jackley, Norman Evans and Dan Young. The screenplay concerns a chimney sweep inherits a hotel and calls on a number of ex-army friends to staff it. The film was one of a number of films at the time dealing with the contemporary issue of demobilisation following the end of the Second World War.
Home Sweet Home is a 1945 British musical comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley, written by Roney Parsons and Anthony Toner, and starring Frank Randle, Nicolette Roeg and Tony Pendrell. Set in the fictitious town of Redvale, the film is largely a vehicle for slapstick routines by Randle.
Save a Little Sunshine is a 1938 British comedy film directed by Norman Lee and starring Dave Willis, Pat Kirkwood and Tommy Trinder. It was written by Victor Kendall, Gilbert Gunn and Vernon Clancey based on the play Lights Out at Eleven by Armitage Owen.
And the Same to You is a 1960 British boxing-themed comedy film directed by George Pollock and starring Brian Rix and William Hartnell. It was written by John Paddy Carstairs, John Junkin and Terry Nation based on the 1955 stage farce The Chigwell Chicken by A. P. Dearsley.
The Girl Who Couldn't Quite is a 1950 British drama film directed by Norman Lee and starring Bill Owen, Elizabeth Henson and Iris Hoey. The screenplay was by Norman Lee and Marjorie Deans based on the 1947 stage play of the same name by Leo Marks.
Over the Garden Wall is a 1950 British "B" comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Norman Evans, Jimmy James and Dan Young. It was written by Harry Jackson and Blakeley. Although made on a low budget, the film often topped double bills at cinemas in the North of England because of the popularity of the performers.
Double Exposure is a 1954 British second feature ('B') crime film directed by John Gilling and starring John Bentley, Rona Anderson and Garry Marsh. It was written by Gilling and John Roddick.
I'll Turn to You is a 1946 British drama film directed by Geoffrey Faithfull and starring Terry Randall, Don Stannard and Harry Welchman. A returning serviceman faces problems with his wife and his job. Although not a musical, the film has a lengthy concert segment at the end that allows the title song to wrap up the narrative.