The Goose Steps Out - Film - British Comedy Guide

1942 film

Wartime comedy starring Will Hay. Teacher William Potts goes undercover at a German spy training school. Also features Frank Pettingell, Julien Mitchell, Charles Hawtrey, Peter Croft, Anne Firth and more.

Like this

The Goose Steps Out. Image shows from L to R: William Potts (Will Hay), Prof. Hoffman (Frank Pettingell). Copyright: Ealing Studios / STUDIOCANAL

Genre

Film

Released

1942

Creators

Bernard Miles and Reg Groves

Stars

Will Hay, Frank Pettingell, Julien Mitchell, Charles Hawtrey, Peter Croft, Anne Firth, Leslie Harcourt, Jeremy Hawk and more

Writers

Angus MacPhail and John Dighton

Directors

Basil Dearden and Will Hay

Producers

Michael Balcon and S.C. Balcon

Company

Ealing Studios

William Potts (Will Hay) is a hapless, clumsy schoolteacher who just happens to be identical body double for a notorious German Nazi general. When the army are made aware of the uncanny resemblance to the German, who they are currently holding prisoner, they decided to drop the reluctant Mr Potts behind enemy lines.

His deadly mission is to find and retrieve information on a secret weapon that the Germans are planning to use. But whilst impersonating the Nazi general Potts manages to infiltrate the Hitler Youth. He also manages to make a big impression on the students who are being trained as spies and learning how to fit into British society. Luckily Mr Potts is at hand to give them lots of handy hints in honour of the war effort.