Here's a movie that cleverly takes advantage of all George Formby's comic gifts in a variety of inventively humorous and even excitingly staged slapstick situations. One of my favorite scenes has George made over into a fearless jockey who proceeds to demonstrate his virility by smashing windows. Yes, smashing windows, an inside joke that would have been obvious to even the youngest or most slow- witted of his admirers. ("When I'm Cleaning Windows" was his most successful song, When adjusted for inflation, Formby's record and sheet music sales easily outshone later successes by Vera Lynn, Petula Clark, the Beatles and company).
A riot of fun from start to finish, "Come On, George!" has not only tremendous charm and vitality, exciting stunt work, fluid direction and skillful photography, but a great support cast led by Pat Kirkwood (as the policeman's daughter), George Carney (as the rent-a-cell constable) and Gibb McLaughlin (as the psychiatrist).
OTHER VIEWS: Formby's 1938 release, "I See Ice", was directed by Anthony Kimmins who does a far, far better job on "Come On, George!" (1939). The script is superior too and builds up the comedy in a series of logical steps to a grand slapstick finale. The support players are also far more agreeable. True, choleric Joss Ambler is inclined to draw too much attention away from George, but the other actors fit in perfectly, especially Pat Kirkwood and George Carney as the Johnsons (dad and daughter) and a muted Ronald Shiner in a large role as an antagonistic stable hand. George has some attractive songs too, including "Pardon Me". (Available on a 10/10 Optimum DVD). -JHR writing as George Addison.
A riot of fun from start to finish, "Come On, George!" has not only tremendous charm and vitality, exciting stunt work, fluid direction and skillful photography, but a great support cast led by Pat Kirkwood (as the policeman's daughter), George Carney (as the rent-a-cell constable) and Gibb McLaughlin (as the psychiatrist).
OTHER VIEWS: Formby's 1938 release, "I See Ice", was directed by Anthony Kimmins who does a far, far better job on "Come On, George!" (1939). The script is superior too and builds up the comedy in a series of logical steps to a grand slapstick finale. The support players are also far more agreeable. True, choleric Joss Ambler is inclined to draw too much attention away from George, but the other actors fit in perfectly, especially Pat Kirkwood and George Carney as the Johnsons (dad and daughter) and a muted Ronald Shiner in a large role as an antagonistic stable hand. George has some attractive songs too, including "Pardon Me". (Available on a 10/10 Optimum DVD). -JHR writing as George Addison.