Le chevalier de carton

A funny and fast-moving comedy, with hapless market-trader Sidcup (Sid Field) falling foul of Cromwell's thuggish soldiery, teaming up with Nell Gwynne (Margaret Lockwood) then running messages for a Royalist infiltrator, played by Field's straight-man Jerry Desmonde. It all ends with a chase in a castle, with Sidcup aided by a friendly ghost (Irene Handl).

Early on, Sidcup's barrow with 'ye private enterprise' prominently marked on the side, is overturned by one of Cromwell's officers and the film is, at least in part, a mild send-up of the Attlee government's retention of some wartime regulations and other controls, increasingly unpopular in 1948. Some imaginatively droll character names include Judge Gorebucket, Murdercasket and Mosspot, the latter played by Peter Bull. IMDb lists the narrator at the start as John Snagge, but he sounds to me more like Hugh Sinclair.

Field's work on stage was highly regarded; he was an inspiration for Frankie Howerd and particularly Tony Hancock, and would surely have been a great success on TV, but sadly died at just 45. No doubt he wasn't stretched by the material here, but is still funny and likable. The revelation is Margaret Lockwood, then Britain's most popular star, who put herself forward for the part as a great admirer of Field, and hopefully to escape the 'Wicked Lady' image, even though it meant second billing. She gives a sparkling performance and is ideal in the role, but typically, the British press, having once helped to build her reputation, now decided that she needed taking down a peg or two, with several notices being hostile and occasionally downright spiteful. Never over-blessed with self-confidence, she didn't attempt a similar role again.

The British turned out many historical films, including those based on classical novels. And, U. K. filmmakers made some sterling comedies, some of which could rival the best of the Hollywood Golden Era. But I don't recall there being many historical comedies until later in the 20th century. Well, "Cardboard Cavalier" of 1949 is an exception and clearly has some fun with history, including quite a bit of twisting it.

Overall, this film isn't exceptional or very good. But, it is light-hearted, has a silly and sometime far out plot, and it does have some nice shots of humor here and there. Those are almost always around Sid Field's character, Sidcup Buttermeadow. Indeed, except for the obvious historical figures, the choice of names for the fictional people is part of the British humor that I especially appreciate in such films. Some others, beside Field's character are Judge Gorebucket by Miles Malleson, Brother Barebones by Michael Brennan, Sylvester Clutterbuck by Claude Hulbert, and Mosspot by Peter Bull.

Well this whole thing takes place during that nagging interruption of the regal reigns of England - of whatever branch of monarchy, It was during the English civil wars and George Cromwell's reign of the md 17th century. Buttermeadow becomes a courier for the loyalists to the king, and in the end, he's celebrated for helping the cause for King Charles's return. A humorous bit that historians and anglophiles especially should enjoy, is the inclusion of the legendary Nell Gwynn. Margaret Lockwood plays the most famous of a baker's dozen of mistresses of Charles. But in this film, she's admired by the throngs as the actress and consort of Charles, even riding in the parade of the king's return.

This isn't a great laugh fest for viewers, but a pleasant and fun film to watch as the cast (and crew) poke friendly jabs at history. This was one of only two films that the very popular stage show entertainer Sid Field made. That earned it one more star from me.

Sid Field only made three,largely unsuccessful films.Forde made hundreds.Their career paths crossed with this film and was in both cases brought to an end.Field was largely a physical comedian and it really comes across as if he is trying too hard.The cinema was clearly not his medium.As for Lockwood,well the most charitable thing to say is that comedy roles do not suit her.After the film flopped Forde retired,which says it all.

Sid "What a Performance!" Field stars as an idiot barrow boy in Cromwellian London. He gets involved with Margaret Lockwood and intrigue over efforts to get Charles II his throne.

This was the last film directed by Walter Forde, just as Sid's star-making LONDON TOWN was Wesley Ruggles' last credit as a director; perhaps Sid wore them out. The movie never seems to make up its mind whether it's a comedy with serious interludes, or a serious drama with comic sequences. Much time is spent showing the audience how miserable the Protectorate was, and it isn't until the final third until it turns into the sort of movie that, had it been made in Hollywood, would have starred Bob Hope or Danny Kaye. That's when Sid does a drag act, a Murphy bed shows up, and Irene Handl appears as a helpful ghost with a removable noggin. It all ends in chaos and confusion, and Charles II restored to the throne.

Margaret Lockwood plays the heroine, and she is far more boisterous than her usual polite "English Rose" roles, She seems to be having fun as the irrepressible Nell Gwyn, having a load of snow dumped on her, and calling His Majesty "Charlie".

Although Forde had been a leading movie director in the 1930s, working in a variety of genres, he seems to have grown tired by this point. He had just passed the half-century mark, tastes were changing, and the British film industry was in crisis, just as it had been when he had entered. Perhaps he decided it was time to bow out gracefully and enjoy retirement. If so, I certainly hope he did over the next thirty-five years. He died in 1984, aged 85. Field was not as fortunate. After thirty years in the music halls, he finally hit the West End in the early 1940s and made three movies, with this the last one. He died the following year, only 45 years of age.

This is funny, clean, and although only B/W, one of the best movies I've seen.

The main character, Sid Field plays "Sidcup Buttermeadow", who honestly couldn't find his behind with both hands. He accidentally overthrows Cromwell and his nasty cronies.

If you like the Princess Bride, and don't need gratuitous sex and violence, then see if you can find it or persuade your local TV station to.

Now if only I could find where to buy a copy on VHS/PAL...