Somewhere on Leave | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | John E. Blakeley |
Written by | Roney Parsons Anthony Toner |
Produced by | John E. Blakeley |
Starring | Frank Randle |
Cinematography | Geoffrey Faithfull |
Edited by | E.R. Richards |
Music by | Percival Mackey |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Butcher's Film Service (U.K.) |
Release date |
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Running time | 96 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Somewhere on Leave is a 1943 British comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Frank Randle, Harry Korris and Dan Young. [1] It was the third in the series of Somewhere films following Private Randle and his comrades. [2] It was followed by Somewhere in Civvies (1943).
Private Randle and army pals Privates Young and Enoch are invited by Private Desmond to spend some off-duty time at his stately home. Desmond is too busy courting an ATS girl to notice that the squaddies are running riot in his house.
Kine Weekly wrote in 1946: "Hearty British musical extravaganza featuring Frank Randle and many of the famous stars of 'Happidrome', one of war-time radio's most popular comedy features. Originally reviewed in the Kine of November 5, 1942, it returns to the screen untouched by scissors, but, in spite of its formidable footage, its fruity, not to say ribald, humour continues to register. Its tireless co-stars are past masters at cracking chestnuts." [3]
The Radio Times gave the film two out of five stars, writing: "Of the music-hall turns who made films, Lancashire comedian Frank Randle was among the most successful. But his appeal inevitably exemplifies the North-South divide and his success – including that of his five Somewhere films – was largely confined to home ground ... It may be unsophisticated, and more a series of incidents than a cohesive narrative, but it's still fun." [4]
Frank Randle was an English comedian. A contemporary of fellow Lancastrians George Formby and Gracie Fields, he was regarded as more subversive.
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Somewhere in Camp is a 1942 British comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Frank Randle, Harry Korris and Robbie Vincent. The film continues the adventures of Private Randle from the 1940 film Somewhere in England. It was followed in 1943 by Somewhere on Leave.
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Harry Korris was a Manx-British comedian and actor. He was a star of the hit BBC radio show Happidrome, and of the 1943 film version. He also appeared in several Frank Randle films.
The Happidrome was a BBC radio comedy programme produced in Britain between 1941 and 1947. It was produced by Ernest Longstaffe and starred Harry Korris as Mr Lovejoy, the harassed manager of a small provincial theatre. Other regular cast members were Cecil Frederick as Ramsbottom, the stage manager, and Robbie Vincent as Enoch, the call boy. The show also featured leading performers of the time as guest stars.