Movie Review - Oh, Mr Porter!

Oh, Mr Porter!

1937

The Cast

William Porter (Hay) is a man with ambition.  It's just a shame that his luck runs bad and because of such, he's been moved from position to position and from station to station on the railroad.  However, his luck may just be turning as the position of Stationmaster at remote Buggleskelly has just become available and, with thanks to his sister, he's given the chance of putting it on the map...  Though not all is as it seems at Buggleskelly Station...

This is the Will Hay that I know and love... and remember from my youth; sat in my Nan's on a Saturday afternoon watching telly while the winter rain pelted the window.  I have to admit, I'm not too keen when Hay decides to "go alone".  His funniest films are definitely the ones where he teams up with the "Old Man" Moore Marriott, who plays Jeremiah Harbottle,  and the "Youth" Graham Moffat, playing Albert.  When these guys are together they come close to rivalling the great Laurel and Hardy.  Like that duo, they are superb at playing off each other and have the impression that they've known each other forever.

The screenwriters, the brilliant Val Guest,  J O C Orton, and Marriott Edgar, use this partnership to it's fullest advantage by giving the trio lots of wonderfully funny and witty lines and sight gags.  The director then adds to the power of the story by keeping the pace at full steam - just like in the runaway engine sequence. 

All of this is interwoven with a good story from Frank Launder, who adds excitement, mystery, and intrigue in the guise of the gun runners.

The only thing which ruffled my feathers a little was the runaway engine scene.  Though this is superbly directed by Marcel Varnel, with some interesting camera shots and angles, and quick snap changes, to create excitement.  There are times when the speeded up frames are comical.  Though I don't think this was meant to be the case, as it was meant to create the illusion of dangerous break-neck speed.  Though, even in the 70's when I first watched this film, we are well past this style of special effect... and it's effect isn't so special anymore.  But the rest of the movie is great and this is just a small niggle it won't stop your enjoyment of the film... it may even add to it, a little.

This is, as it was in my youth, a great way to spend a wet Saturday afternoon.  When it's raining outside you'll be laughing inside... win!  As such, I would recommend this to everyone out there.

I give this a Chug-Chug-Chug-Woo-Hoo of 6.75 out of 10. 

The Film Clip

Movie Review - The Princess And The Pirate

The Princess And The Pirate

1944

The Cast

Now, this is how comedies should be made.  If you want to make me laugh then this is a great place to start.  One:  A witty and well-written script (even though the concept might be a bit ridiculous).  One-liners, sharp comebacks, and great punchlines.  Situation comedy.  Slapstick.  Even facial ticks, playing to the camera and the audience - this is great as it breaks that fourth wall and brings the audience into the film and story more.  Bob Hope is a master at making people feel comfortable, happy, and like one of his friends.  Most people relate to him, if not to the character he's playing.

This is the story of Sylvester The Great (Hope).  An actor who is about to pursue his greatest role to date... that of a hero... though an unwilling - and sometimes cowardly - one at that.  Princess Margaret (Mayo) is eloping to marry her one true love and not the arranged one her father has in mind.  Though her father doesn't know of her plans, Captain Barrett "The Hook" (McLaglen) does.  Along with his band of pirates, he plans to kidnap the Princess for a King's ransom... except, he's not planned for Sylvester...

Bob Hope is brilliant, as usual, in the role of Sylvester and gives his customary top-notch performance.  Though quite a few may say that his characters vary very little in his career, I would have to agree with them.  However, he also gives a hundred percent in those roles.  If you look at some comedians today, they do the same, but because their repertoire doesn't have as much scope they can become boring and tired pretty quickly.  Whereas, Hope's joyful exuberance appears fresh with every film.

It also helps that the rest of the cast is also top-notch.  Virginia Mayo is as sprite and bubbly as Hope in her role and helps to make them into a lovable duo.  Though it's both McLaglen and Walter Slezak, who plays La Roche, that add the "Straight" roles for Hope and Mayo to play off of.  Both of these actors are brilliant as the bad guy's.  McLaglen has both the physique and the face to pull off the fearful Pirate, he's also not too bad at humour; the fake mirror sequence is brilliantly pulled off.  Slezak, as usual, has the air of a cunning fox about him; a man you just wouldn't trust.  These two characters add the depth to the story and make the shade to the light of Hope and Mayo.

Another great thing is the direction.  Though there's nothing too original in differing camera shots, there are a couple of interesting angles.  It's the pace of the movie which helps to keep the viewer's attention and build on their interest.  The pace is as fast as the gags in the script.  There was only one hiccup and that was in the Bucket of Blood Inn.  The scene where Sylvester and the Princess do their routine is a little ineffective.  I can understand why it's in the story, though in the context of the film this is the slowest section and feels awkward.  Though I can forgive this because of the excellent beer swilling scene (who says we have a drinking problem today...).  And even though the end punchline of a sight gag is telegraphed right at the start of the movie it's still funny... the secret of great comedy is...

I would recommend this film to everybody who wants a good laugh and is sick and tired of the puerile and immature comedy around today.  This should brighten your day quite well.

I give this a Rip-Roaring Belly-Busting Swash And Buckle of 8 out of 10.

...Timing!!!

The Trailer

Movie Review - Inn For Trouble

Inn For Trouble

1960

The Cast

Twenty-five years working for Belcher's brewery has seen Pa Larkin work his way up to manager of the labelling department.  Though, due to tradition, he is about to be offered the chance to run a Public House of his own.  However, there's only one pub available at this time... and nobody drinks in it.  Resolving to make it a success, Pa packs up his family and moves out to the countryside.

This is one clever little film, filled with great characters and a decent storyline, which unfolds at a steady pace to the climax.  You find out the reason for the villager's disinterest in the pub and why a rival brewery is so keen to purchase the money pit of an inn.

Though it's Peggy Mount as the irascible Ma Larkin who steals the show, the rest of the cast do well with their portrayals.  Ronan O'Casey as the Canadian Jeff Rodgers does a brilliant drunk in the drinking game.  Leslie Phillips adds a touch of class and poshness as Brewery owner John Belcher.  And Gerald Campion as the stoic and straight-faced George, who doesn't even break into a smile when he's happy.  It's these little things and more which makes this an enjoyable movie to watch.

If you have a Sunday afternoon free, after enjoying a hearty dinner, you couldn't do much better than putting your feet up and giving this flick a watch.  It's a nice lighthearted way to let your food settle - especially if you have a pint of the old amber nectar to hand.

I give this a Delightfully Inebriated Pint... or Three of 6.5 out of 10.

The Film Clip