Keep It Up Downstairs

Last updated

Keep It Up Downstairs
Keep It Up Downstairs.jpg
Directed by Robert Young
Written by Hazel Adair
Produced byHazel Adair
Mark Forstater
Starring Diana Dors
Jack Wild
William Rushton
Cinematography Alan Pudney
Edited by Mike Campbell
Music by Michael Nyman
Production
company
Pyramid Films
Distributed by Thorn EMI
Release date
29 July 1976
Running time
94 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Keep It Up Downstairs (also known as Can You Keep It Up Downstairs? and My Favorite Butler), is a 1976 British period sex comedy film, directed by Robert Young and starring Diana Dors, Jack Wild and William Rushton. [1]

Contents

Plot

The film follows the adventures of the sex-crazed inhabitants of the bankrupt Cockshute Castle in 1904, and the attempts of Lord and Lady Cockshute to find a rich wife for their uninterested inventor son Peregrine.

Cast

Production

It was shot at Elstree Studios and on location at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire. A version exists with hardcore inserts; these were shot with body doubles for the main stars. [2]

Music

The score was by Michael Nyman, his first for a commercially released film.

Critical response

Monthly Film Bulletin said "A joyless 'romp' that is soporifically heavy-handed with its phallic imagery and double meanings (endless references to "big ones" and "getting it off"), Keep It Up Downstairs bungles the tempting possibility of a ribald melange of Upstairs Downstairs and The Go-Between [1971] school of sensitive historical drama. The cast, required to bare breasts and buttocks at regular intervals, is able to make no headway against the inane script and consistently mistimed direction." [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Rushton</span> English cartoonist and comedian (1937–1996)

William George Rushton was an English actor, cartoonist, comedian and satirist who co-founded the satirical magazine Private Eye.

<i>Upstairs, Downstairs</i> (1971 TV series) British drama television series (1971–1975)

Upstairs, Downstairs is a British drama television series produced by London Weekend Television (LWT) for ITV. It ran for 68 episodes divided into five series on ITV from 1971 to 1975.

<i>Theres a Girl in My Soup</i> 1970 British film by Roy Boulting

There's a Girl in My Soup is a 1970 British romantic comedy film directed by Roy Boulting and starring Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn. It was based on the 1966 stage play of the same name by Terence Frisby.

<i>Confessions of a Driving Instructor</i> 1976 British film by Norman Cohen

Confessions of a Driving Instructor is a 1976 British sex-farce film directed by Norman Cohen and starring Robin Askwith and Anthony Booth.

<i>The White Buffalo</i> 1977 film by J. Lee Thompson

The White Buffalo is a 1977 fantasy Western film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Charles Bronson, Kim Novak, Jack Warden, Slim Pickens and Will Sampson.

Sue Longhurst is an English actress who appeared in several X-rated sex comedies in the 1970s.

<i>Adventures of a Taxi Driver</i> 1976 British film by Stanley Long

Adventures of a Taxi Driver is a 1976 British sex comedy film directed by Stanley Long and starring Barry Evans, Judy Geeson and Adrienne Posta. There are two sequels, Adventures of a Private Eye (1977) and Adventures of a Plumber's Mate (1978).

<i>Adventures of a Private Eye</i> 1977 British film by Stanley Long

Adventures of a Private Eye is a 1977 British sex comedy film directed by Stanley Long and starring Christopher Neil, Suzy Kendall, Harry H. Corbett and Liz Fraser. It followed Adventures of a Taxi Driver (1976), and was followed by Adventures of a Plumber's Mate (1977).

<i>Adventures of a Plumbers Mate</i> 1978 British film by Stanley Long

Adventures of a Plumber's Mate is a 1978 British sex comedy film directed by Stanley Long and starring Christopher Neil as Sid South. Following Adventures of a Taxi Driver (1976) and Adventures of a Private Eye (1977), it was the final film of the series which attempted to occupy the same market position as the better-known and more successful Confessions series starring Robin Askwith.

<i>As Long as Theyre Happy</i> 1955 film by J. Lee Thompson

As Long as They're Happy is a 1955 British musical comedy film directed by J. Lee Thompson and starring Jack Buchanan, Susan Stephen and Diana Dors. It is based on the 1953 play of the same name by Vernon Sylvaine. It was shot in Eastmancolor at Pinewood Studios near London with sets designed by the art director Michael Stringer.

<i>The Counterfeit Constable</i> 1964 French film by Robert Dhéry

The Counterfeit Constable is a 1964 French comedy film directed by Robert Dhéry and Pierre Tchernia and starring Ronald Fraser, Diana Dors and Arthur Mullard.

Mark Singleton (1919–1986) was a British film and television actor.

<i>Under the Doctor</i> 1976 British film by Gerry Poulson

Under the Doctor is a 1976 British sex comedy directed by Gerry Poulson and starring Barry Evans, Liz Fraser and Hilary Pritchard. A Harley Street doctor enjoys dalliances with three of his female patients.

<i>Miss Tulip Stays the Night</i> 1955 British film

Miss Tulip Stays the Night is a 1955 British comedy crime film starring Diana Dors, Patrick Holt, Jack Hulbert and Cicely Courtneidge. It was the last major feature film directed by Leslie Arliss. The screenplay concerns a crime writer and his wife who stay at a country house where a mysterious corpse appears.

<i>What the Swedish Butler Saw</i> 1975 film by Vernon P. Becker

What the Swedish Butler Saw is a 1975 Swedish-American erotic sex comedy film directed by Vernon P. Becker and starring Ole Søltoft, Sue Longhurst, Malou Cartwright and Diana Dors. It is known by several alternative titles including A Man with a Maid, The Groove Room and Champagnegalopp. The film is loosely based on the 1908 erotic novel The Way of a Man with a Maid.

<i>School for Sex</i> 1969 British film by Pete Walker

School for Sex is a 1969 British sex comedy film directed, produced and written by Pete Walker.

<i>Come Back Peter</i> (1969 film) 1969 British film by Donovan Winter

Come Back Peter is a 1969 British sex comedy film written, produced, edited and directed by Donovan Winter. It was reissued in the UK with additional footage in 1976 under the title Some Like It Sexy.

<i>Keep It Up, Jack</i> 1974 British film by Derek Ford

Keep It Up, Jack is a 1974 British sex comedy film directed by Derek Ford and starring Mark Jones. It was produced by Michael L. Green.

<i>Intimate Games</i> 1976 British film by Tudor Gates

Intimate Games is a 1976 British sex comedy directed by Tudor Gates and Martin Campbell and starring George Baker, Anna Bergman and Ian Hendry.

<i>Gert and Daisys Weekend</i> 1942 British film by Maclean Rogers

Gert and Daisy's Weekend is a 1942 British comedy film directed by Maclean Rogers and starring Elsie Waters, Doris Waters and Iris Vandeleur.

References

  1. "Keep It Up Downstairs". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  2. Sheridan, Simon (2011). Keeping the British End Up: Four Decades of Saucy Cinema. Titan Books Ltd
  3. "Keep It Up Downstairs". Monthly Film Bulletin . 43 (504): 102. 1976 via ProQuest.