Asking for Trouble

This was the last film in Max Millers 14 film screen career.Miller was probably the best and funniest stand up comedian this country has ever seen.If you just let him loose in a film eg Channel Crossing or Friday The 13th he could be wonderful.However if you tried to write a comedy film for him he could be woeful.For some reason that is what they did in this film.I have given this film 5/10 but even i a Miller fan have to admit to any non fan watching this could be a waste of time.You want Miller to be funny but he is not.The scriptwriters clearly had no idea what to do with Miller and so they put him in what one can only describe as a pale version of a standard British farce.If it weren't for Millers presence it would not be worth watching.I recorded this film over 20 years ago off Channel 4.So there is little chance it will be repeated.Just as well for his reputation.

I have never seen a Max Miller film nor did I know anything about him when I began watching this public domain movie. However, one thing I surmised very quickly is that Miller must have been a stage comic, as his delivery is like a music hall performer. In other words, he was quite adept with fast-talk but really did not seem at all like an actor in "Asking for Trouble", his final film.

The story begins with Dick (Miller) working with his friend as a fish monger. However, his main business seems to be bookmaking and soon he's arrested. When he's way too mouthy for his own good in court, he's given a rather lengthy sentence. Soon after, however, he and his buddy escape.

When Dick catches up with his ladyfriend, Lynn, she is upset because her father wants her to marry some African explorer type...a man the father hasn't seen since this Captain was a boy. So, the plan is to have Dick pretend to be this man and come visit the family...and somehow derail the marriage. Over time, however, you just KNOW that the real Captain is bound to show!

In this very politically correct age, folks will no doubt blanche at seeing a couple of the actors wearing burnt cork makeup to look like black people. I was quite surprised this was in the film, as it seemed like a throwback from the very early days of silent films when such stupid casting was common (such as in "Birth of a Nation"). Well, my suggestion is to try to look past it and keep watching. It's not a bad little film...just one with some tacky makeup!

So, as you can guess, I felt that the film was worth seeing on balance. Not exactly brilliant and sparkling entertainment but sufficiently interesting to make it enjoyable. In particular, if you like Will Hay films, try this one as it is a bit similar.

Max Miller is a fishmonger who is arrested for taking bets on horse races and is fined 300 pounds or six months in jail. He escapes and heads to his home, where he finds Carole Lynn -- I've no idea how she got in. Her father wants her to marry the son of an old Army friend whom she has never met. They agree that Max will impersonate the man to get her out of the fix. Max shows up with an elephant and stooge Billy Percy and the plot, such as it is, begins.

This movie reeks of being expanded from a Pre-War stage farce. All of the army personnel seem to spend their time hunting big game. Very odd for 1942 and no wonder that Miller gave up movies and went back to the stage after this! Still, Max is in fine fettle, bouncing quips off everyone, including the elephant, singing a couple of songs and leading a dancing production number. As a movie, this is dire, but as a showcase for Max and his style of performance, it is amusing.

Perhaps, I am a bit too young or a tad too American to appreciate the lukewarm reviews this movie has received here. This is my first exposure to Max Miller. Quite an energetic way he had. His presence could fill a room and leave everyone sitting. He must have been an amazing performer on the stage and I will never know, but I can attest to his wide talents with the tongue and wit.

This film was his last but I must say I was very impressed - I can just imagine how much better it might have been if the British censors and the British screenwriters could have allowed him to spread out.

The actual movie is a well-worn subject and the ending was, of course, predictable but, how we get to the end is the delight. Pure romantic comedy with a host of unique characters that charm the senses. Of course, on the down side, we are offered a few characters which would be frowned upon today. The use of black-face was a phenomena that we in this new century may never fully understand or appreciate. I allowed myself to overlook it's offense and instead enjoyed the farcical effect of their appearance.

This is not a masterpiece, no one will ever say that, but it was a lot of fun and if I did not understand the jokes or the regional or topical references, I did not let it bother me. The spectrum of British theater was primarily produced for the British audiences. They understood the jokes, and I will have to allow it's unique references to remain a mystery that only a deep understanding of the great British Isles will reward.

I recommend this romp... give it a try.