A few years ago, the B.B.C. got into the habit of televising children's book award ceremonies, the 'highlight' of which was usually an appearance by J.K. Rowling, either to collect a prize or hand one out. Since she stopped writing the Harry Potter books ( though she has threatened to do more ), the award shows have mysteriously disappeared from the airwaves, leaving one to wonder if their presence on our screens in the first place was naught but a cunning attempt by Auntie to jump on the Potter bandwagon. Though advertising is still not allowed on the B.B.C., from time to time the corporation will try and benefit from the interest in a new product. Whenever a Bond movie opens you can bet that somewhere there will be a documentary or two on the character.
When this picture was made, the thought of any advertising of any kind on the B.B.C. was unthinkable. Sid James plays 'Sid Gibson', a salesman trying to sell a new detergent called - if you can believe it - 'Bonko'. Nobody buys the stuff as they have never heard of it. He gets the idea of asking his friend Arthur Ashton ( Arthur Askey ), who works as a make-up man on a popular national variety show, to sneak in a bit of hard-sell during a 'Come Dancing'-type show. He does so. Sales of 'Bonko' rocket. The board of governors are far from happy, and give Ashton the sack. But he is cleverer than he looks, and with Sid's help, begins sneaking in promos not only for 'Bonko' but other products too, such as cake mix, in both televised ballet and the Grand National.
Directed by Lance Comfort and written by Peter Blackmore, with additional material by Askey and 'Carry On' scribe Talbot Rothwell, this is a nice little British comedy which, although no classic, is a fun way to spend 80 minutes. Keep your eyes peeled for cameos from some of the top telly stars of that time, such as Tommy Trinder, Sabrina, Dennis Lotis, and Dickie Henderson. Kenneth Connor, Barbara Windsor and Bernard Cribbins are also around. I would have liked it to parody '50's British telly more strongly; it eventually takes a familiar path with Arthur foiling a robbery and becoming a hero. Blackmore later co-wrote the Morecambe & Wise pictures 'That Riviera Touch' ( 1966 ) and 'The Magnificent Two' ( 1967 ).
When this picture was made, the thought of any advertising of any kind on the B.B.C. was unthinkable. Sid James plays 'Sid Gibson', a salesman trying to sell a new detergent called - if you can believe it - 'Bonko'. Nobody buys the stuff as they have never heard of it. He gets the idea of asking his friend Arthur Ashton ( Arthur Askey ), who works as a make-up man on a popular national variety show, to sneak in a bit of hard-sell during a 'Come Dancing'-type show. He does so. Sales of 'Bonko' rocket. The board of governors are far from happy, and give Ashton the sack. But he is cleverer than he looks, and with Sid's help, begins sneaking in promos not only for 'Bonko' but other products too, such as cake mix, in both televised ballet and the Grand National.
Directed by Lance Comfort and written by Peter Blackmore, with additional material by Askey and 'Carry On' scribe Talbot Rothwell, this is a nice little British comedy which, although no classic, is a fun way to spend 80 minutes. Keep your eyes peeled for cameos from some of the top telly stars of that time, such as Tommy Trinder, Sabrina, Dennis Lotis, and Dickie Henderson. Kenneth Connor, Barbara Windsor and Bernard Cribbins are also around. I would have liked it to parody '50's British telly more strongly; it eventually takes a familiar path with Arthur foiling a robbery and becoming a hero. Blackmore later co-wrote the Morecambe & Wise pictures 'That Riviera Touch' ( 1966 ) and 'The Magnificent Two' ( 1967 ).