It was the third of three movies Tommy Steele made for Nat Cohen.[4]
Janet Munro was borrowed from Walt Disney, who had her under contract. The film was shot at the Associated British studios in Borehamwood.[5] There was location filming in Seville in May 1959.[6] Steele says filming took 12 weeks and that Carstairs was a "chubby, jovial ball of energy... his direction was always precise and without fuss."[7]
Songs
The songs were written by Lionel Bart, Mike Pratt and Steele who had collaborated on The Duke Wore Jeans. Steele said their aim on the film were to present "a score of tunes and lyrics that joined the plot without ever stopping it in its tracks."[8]
"Where's the Birdie?" - sung with James and Cribbins
"Amanda"
Critical reception
In The Radio Times, Tom Vallance gave the film three out of five stars, and wrote, "perky pop star Tommy Steele, a former seaman himself, plays the part of a sailor in this lively and likeable musical comedy";[9] while Variety called the film "a brisk, disarming little comedy."[10]Filmink wrote "it's a sweet film and Munro is delightful."[11]
Box office
Kine Weekly called it a "money maker" at the British box office in 1960.[12]
Legacy
Steele says the song "Little White Bull" helped him form a new career because children loved the song and parents would bring them to his rock concerts to hear it.[13]
References
↑ TOMMY THE TOREADOR Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 27, Iss. 312, (Jan 1, 1960): 11.
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