The adventures of Old Bill and his friends Bert and Alf in the trenches of the first World War.The adventures of Old Bill and his friends Bert and Alf in the trenches of the first World War.The adventures of Old Bill and his friends Bert and Alf in the trenches of the first World War.
Edgar Kennedy
- Cpl. Austin
- (as Ed. Kennedy)
Charles K. Gerrard
- Maj. Russett
- (as Charles Gerrard)
Arthur Clayton
- The Colonel
- (uncredited)
Doris Hill
- Waitress
- (uncredited)
Olaf Hytten
- German Officer
- (uncredited)
Tom Kennedy
- The Blacksmith
- (uncredited)
Theodore Lorch
- Gaspard
- (uncredited)
Hank Mann
- German Soldier Tying Up Horse
- (uncredited)
Tom McGuire
- English General
- (uncredited)
Kewpie Morgan
- Gen. Stein
- (uncredited)
Al Thompson
- The Daughter in the Skit
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe film and the earlier musical comedies are based on a popular cartoon character Old Bill, an Cockney-born British infantryman, drawn by Bruce Bairnsfather.
- Quotes
Alfie 'Little Alf': Let's get out of this damn 'ole!
Pvt. William 'Old Bill' Busby: If you knows of a better 'ole - go for it.
- Crazy creditsSyd Chaplin was credited above the title and his full character name was supplied in an inter-title.
- Alternate versionsThe print of the film in the Turner library, and released on DVD through Warner Archive includes the original 1926 Vitaphone music score, with some sound effects and singing. At one point, Harold Goodwin whispers a word to Sydney Chaplin which is also faintly heard.
- ConnectionsVersion of Carry On (1919)
Featured review
The Willie and Joe of the First World War
Although the character of Old Bill and his pal Alf had its origins in the comic strips of Great Britain in doing a bit of research I was surprised to learn that the play on which this film was based was produced by the American actor Charles Coburn. It ran 353 performances and it starred Coburn on Broadway as well during the 1918-19 season. But it came to the screen as a vehicle for Sydney Chaplin, older brother of Charlie Chaplin and a fair comic himself.
Curiously enough one of Charlie's successes was a service comedy set in World War II Shoulder Arms. But in this case the comedy is set in the British army with the British born Sydney Chaplin.
Whatever else Old Bill is, he's a survivor. He and partner Alf played by John Ackroyd are the Willie and Joe of the British Expeditionary Force. The situations these two find themselves could easily be adapted to World War II era service comedies that conceivably would have starred folks like Bob Hope or Danny Kaye.
Briefly put the plot has Old Bill and Alf foiling a major German offensive almost singlehandedly. A remarkable achievement for a pair that make gold bricking an art form.
I'd check out The Better 'Ole to see what a funny guy Charlie's brother could be.
Curiously enough one of Charlie's successes was a service comedy set in World War II Shoulder Arms. But in this case the comedy is set in the British army with the British born Sydney Chaplin.
Whatever else Old Bill is, he's a survivor. He and partner Alf played by John Ackroyd are the Willie and Joe of the British Expeditionary Force. The situations these two find themselves could easily be adapted to World War II era service comedies that conceivably would have starred folks like Bob Hope or Danny Kaye.
Briefly put the plot has Old Bill and Alf foiling a major German offensive almost singlehandedly. A remarkable achievement for a pair that make gold bricking an art form.
I'd check out The Better 'Ole to see what a funny guy Charlie's brother could be.
helpful•20
- bkoganbing
- May 26, 2014
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $449,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 35 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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