A Political Party

This film was made in an era of political instability.Parties splitting into factions and 3 elections between 1929-1935.This film presumably utilised the interest of the people in politics at that time.This is a very broad comedy presumably made with Northern audiences in mind.Though this site shows John Mills as the leading actor,the star is in fact Leslie Fuller.Much of his humour clearly derives from the music hall.The film features Moore Marriott just prior to his first role in a Will Hay film.It has to be said that John Mills seems to be a fish out of water.Everyone talking with "oop north" accents but Mills talks with a refined accent.Also seen at a political meeting is Wylie Watson who would feature as Mr Memory in The 39 steps the following year.The plot seems to be more about smuggling than politics and the humour such as it is has dated badly.Let's say that in political terms it looses its deposit.

This one has become, over nearly ninety years, more of a social artefact than an entertainment.

The plot about chimney sweep Leslie Fuller who runs for the spot of local member (cf. the George Formby HE SNOOPS TO CONQUER) is passably lively though the music hall sketches they try to incorporate register as feeble - the baker and the sweep getting covered with one another's products, smashing Blimpish aristocrat Maltby's family china and using items from round the room to make over the singer doing Loch Lomond into a Scotsman. It all plays better than similar material in the CARRY ON films twenty years later.

However it's take on politics, ("Socialism. communism and rheumatism") the woman's place, class ("The working man's wife who is more like a mother to him") and regional divisions will put the teeth on edge of even the casual viewer.

Young John Mills joins in nervously but the only character who qualifies for any sympathy is a blonded Enid Stamp Taylor as the villain's citified daughter.