It was released in 1970 as the supporting film to Leo the Last.[1]
Critical reception
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "With its squad of incompetent firemen, this mimed comedy was clearly intended to revive the silent slapstick tradition of the Keystone Cops. But the enterprise lacks pace. The film alternates between mechanical sight gags and an indulgent sentimentality underlined by Dennis King's irrepressibly cute score. And while celebrated friends of the director make lightning appearances that should gratify the star spotters, the mime style of the principals involves much tiresome hand-wringing, eye-rolling and exaggerated mugging."[2]
The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "Unsung character actor Graham Stark made his debut as the writer and director of this fond, if laboured tribute to the silent slapstick style of the Keystone Kops. Comedy stars crop up in cameo roles, as does movie star Michael Caine. But the main focus falls on the rivalry between Stark's council workman and fireman Norman Rossington, as they woo typist Julia Foster. The mugging mime and the excessive crane shots soon become wearisome, but it's still fun."[3]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
