User Reviews

SPOILERS: British comedy, set in Tangleton, a small English village, charming and bad toothed George Formby plays a handyman who finds himself in trouble when he inadvertently assists two London reporters in their investigation of corruption in the town's postwar plans. They catch him singing into a Dictaphone and playing with his ukulele. To protect themselves, the corrupt town fathers ask him to take a poll of the village citizens to raise money for their own pet projects. George takes the pole of everyone except for an eccentric millionaire, inventory philanthropist. Lots of sight gags here. The poll shows the majority of the citizens want major changes and they know the town council is corrupt. To hide the evidence they ask handyman George to destroy several incriminating housing forms with out his knowledge. Since it's against the law to burn government papers George tries to recycle them but through carelessness they get thrown into the streets inciting citizens to wonder what's going on when the newspaper reports the council said the survey supports the council and status quo. Enlisting the aid of the beautiful young daughter of the eccentric inventor, the handyman succeeds in getting the corrupt officials out of office. This once lost film has only recently been discovered and will hopefully be picked up by film festivals to be rediscovered again. It is very charming, silly, romantic, humorous and hopeful. George only sings three delightful songs so it only gets 3 out of 4 stars.

Another of George Formby's films for Columbia (and also available on a nice Sony DVD) is "He Snoops To Conquer" (1945). This time, George is paired with Robertson Hare (who does a great job) and a really fine support cast led by the lovely Elizabeth Allan.

Connoisseur's will spot Katie Johnson as George's "mother".

Undoubtedly the best of the Columbia movies, this one presents George in a number of guises. At the start, as you can see from the still above, George looks very neat indeed (aside from the false teeth – and even they look reasonably realistic). Of course, we soon discover that dapper George is only a humble office-worker for the local council. Admittedly, he's not too bright but his lack of acumen is due more to his kindness, his trusting nature and his eagerness to do a good job than his lack of mental acuity.

The Formby character is always determined, but in this movie he's super-endowed with a determination that will brook no rebuff at all.

Helping win the laughs is brainstorm inventor Robertson Hare who actually takes George's place as the film's prize idiot.

Columbia have spent more money than usual on this one with its large cast, numerous sets and crazy props. My only real complaint is that the slapstick chase occurs in the middle of the film instead of at the climax, so that the movie finishes up on a rounded but somewhat tame note: George gets the girl, the Council gets the sack, the town gets a makeover, and Hare collars the laughs. (A 9/10 Sony DVD).