Demobbed (1944)

Feeling masochistic I knew what this would be like and so wondered how much I could watch before I could stand it no more, and surprisingly I watched it to the end............NOT that I enjoyed it.

One from the Mancunian stable of films........................

Four seriously unfunny "comedians", basically lead by Norman Evans (the only one I knew of - Les Dawson based his "Cissie" character on this one) are demobbed from the Army and get jobs in a factory, where they basically play silly buggers with the sort of humour that would possibly appeal to toddlers. Even given the period this was made, I am at a loss to see how anyone could have paid to see this and come away feeling they have been entertained and got their money's worth.

I did half laugh at one joke, and Norman Evan's "Over the Garden Wall" washer woman routine is quite amusing, but that is from his music hall repertoire, and it was interesting to see Webster Booth and Anne Ziegler - they were at the time a very famous and rich singing duo. As this all was happening in the factory the idiots worked to put on a concert, which is all the film was about really - a show of variety acts attached to a very thin story. Was done a lot about this time.

BUT, if you've got nothing better to do one rainy afternoon....................do a jigsaw

I'm genuinely intrigued by what films of this era you do enjoy, Hercules? You say it's the era you like, and you won't begin to consider anything post, what, 1960, 1970 (?), but you don't seem to like much from this!

I'd definitely recommend giving something later and bawdier a go. I've recently started rewatching the Confessions... series and have been surprised at how much less smutty, and how much more packed with genuinely joyous comedy business, they are than I remembered.

Hmm Aaron, where do I start.................

Cannot think of them off the top of my head, but there were some I liked - I keep no record of what I post.
I appreciate there were many restrictions on comedy actors and performers post war, but if it's not funny, then it ain't. I have a DVD somewhere of Max Miller films, and they are iffy, but live on stage he was a totally different VERY funny and clever comedian who got round the blue pen - pun intended.
Besides, Laurel and Hardy could do it (and VERY well) about this period, so why couldn't British comedy actors?

I'm only reviewing films I see on TPTV and as you will appreciate that takes up enough time as it is, and as far as I know, no "Confession" films have been on that channel.

When it comes to drama, mystery, murder and intrigue though, there have been some brilliant films from that period, as well as dogs, AND one of the reasons I watch these is to see the world I remember as a child, with the buildings and cars - a world totally different from now in the UK, and for that reason I only watch British films.

HOWEVER, coming forward to the 50s there were some brilliant very funny comedy films - off the top of my head "Passport to Pimlico", "The Lavender Hill Mob", "Too Many Crooks", "The Ladykillers" and my favourite that I never tire of watching "I'm Alright Jack"

As Roy used to tell 'em "Say what you see", and that's what I do.