Orders Are Orders

Incredibly enough this was the second film version of an ancient army farce 'satirising' the film business. It's one of those rare films with an Introducing credit that actually counts for something, since it's Tony Hancock who's being introduced; and he gets the final close up. However, it was not an auspicious film debut since when he took his wife to see it at the Astoria in Charing Cross Road and asked if he'd be able to get in, was told "Get in? You can have the whole circle if you want it"! Hancock's future TV co-star 'Sidney' (as he was then billed) James playing yet another of the Americans he was then typecast as himself dismissed it as "a bit of a stinker".

It's more interesting to watch now than it was at the time since in addition to Hancock & James so many of the cast later made their mark on TV, including Bill Fraser, Gerald Campion and Eric Sykes (whose only screen credit is for additional dialogue). Maureen Pryor is memorably laconic as the gum-chewing continuity girl in trousers; and even Donald Pleasance puts in a fleeting appearance.

And of course there's a plump young Peter Sellers who a dozen years later reprised this film's plot for 'After the Fox' as well as guesting in Hancock's final completed film, 'The Wrong Box'.

A run of the mill army barracks in Bilchester is overrun by a film company planning to make a Z grade science fiction movie. All seems to being going well as the pretty lady actors have the barracks in a tizzy and get the soldiers to play a part. That is until the Divisional Commander turns up for one of his inspections.

Tho far from being at the top of the cast list, this sub-standard remake of a 1933 film of the same name is of interest to see the names Peter Sellers, Sid James & Tony Hancock in the same movie. However, the truth is is that it's a poor movie that is directed badly by David Paltenghi and the source material really doesn't transfer well to the screen. Based on a play written by Ian Hay in 1932, the makers seems to think that by weaving chaotic scenes with chaotic shouty dialogue that that is going to make for a mirthful movie. It doesn't.

Released to DVD in 2007 as part of a collection called Long Lost Comedy Classics, this is easily the weakest of the set. Other titles in the collection are Miss Robin Hood, John & Julie, Make Me An Offer, The Love Match and the quite brilliant Time Gentlemen Please!. Orders Are Orders smacks of being a "set filler" and exists purely because of the names attached to it (Brian Reece, Margot Grahame & Raymond Huntley also star). 3/10 for Huntley's efforts and James' bizarre American accent

This is a remake of the 1934 film made by Gaumont British starring James Gleason and Charlotte Greenwood.Not exactly star but actors with substantial careers on the American stage and screen.This film has a very similar script and no American stars.However it has three iconic comedy actors,James,Hancock and Sellars.However they are all defeated by the script.Hancock seems to be enjoying himself I charge of the army band.James is wildly unconvincing as the American director,and Sellers has a small part ad a bar steward.There are a lot of familiar faces such as Raymond Huntley in supporting roles,however this is is definitely a film to miss.

ORDERS ARE ORDERS is another army-focused British comedy from the 1950s and another let down. CARRY ON SERGEANT is still the best that I've seen from this era while all others feel somewhat strained and clumsy, not to mention dated. This film has a good story but not many good jokes unless exaggerated character humour is your idea of a good time.

The story is about a film crew who arrive at an army barracks to shoot a science fiction movie and have various run-ins with the soldiers there. The wobbly special effects we see them filming with are funny and reminiscent of an Ed Wood movie. There's a lot of skirt-chasing and various encounters on and off the base between the characters. One of my main problems is that the film crew characters are exaggerated buffoons while the soldiers, in particular the officers, are all prim and proper and dull. The ensuing situations simply aren't all that funny in the face of it.

While the likes of Margot Grahame and Raymond Huntley bag the dull lead roles, it's the supporting players who are the most interesting. Tony Hancock bags an 'introducing' credit and is his typical world-weary character. Sid James is the brash film director but struggles with his unconvincing American accent throughout. Peter Sellers plays his usual part in this and the best I can say about him is that he's better than he was in DOWN AMONG THE Z MEN. There are nice cameos for young 'uns like Donald Pleasence and Eric Sykes. The best participant is the gorgeous Maureen Swanson whose eye-popping introduction scene is the highlight of the whole movie.

Awful low-budget comedy in which a British army camp (manned apparently by only half-a-dozen soldiers) is overrun by American movie producer Sid James (!) and his crew. Laughs are non-existent despite featuring the likes of Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock and Bill Fraser. A young Donald Pleasance also makes a brief appearance.