The Love Match

As a child of 6 or 7 years I found all of Arthur Askey's 1950's films hilarious, this one in particular as it contained the following gag:

Alf Hall is Rose Brown's dimwitted boy friend. When he knocks on the Brown's front door for the very first time Bill Brown opens it and all Alf can do is splutter out his name "Alf 'all, Alf 'all." Bill's reply is "Don't worry I'll catch you."

That little scene has stayed in my mind for more than forty years!

As a 10-year old boy, I was taken by my Dad to see "Invaders from Mars" with Leif Ericson. We left talking about the support feature, Arthur Askey in "The Love Match". Typically English and Lancashire to boot, it has soccer and steam trains, what more could a young boy want. A young Shirley Eaton (painted gold in Goldfinger) is a delight despite her over-the-top Lancashire accent and what can I say about Danny Ross, who all but steals the show as Rose Brown's young man (his party-piece is a pratfall with instant recovery - very funny). Arthur Askey is a joy (but then I'm biased) and to see Rob Wilton as the magistrate was the icing on the cake. A gentle comedy that leads me to the timeless cliché 'they don't make 'em like that anymore' and more's the pity.

The Love Match is directed by David Paltenghi and based on a play by Glenn Melvyn who also co-stars with Arthur Askey. Also featuring are Thora Hird, Shirley Eaton, Danny Ross, William Franklyn and Edward Chapman. Arthur Grant is the photographer and Wilfred Burns scores the original music.

After a sequence of events sees him arrested for the assault of a football referee, train driver Bill Brown (Askey) has to use some of the railway man's holiday fund to cover his fine. Desperate for the cash, Bill and his pal Wally (Melvyn) look to run a book on the upcoming United v City football match. But with his daughter Rose (Eaton) trying to win a dancing competition, and his son Arthur (Franklyn) about to make his debut for United, family strife is also taking a hold.

This was the first film that Arthur Askey made after a ten year absence from the big screen. It's typical boisterous fare, filled out with old time jokes and set piece frivolity. The story is a solid one, although it really helps if you are British and understand local football rivalry, while the cast around Askey perform to a high standard. There's some laugh out loud moments, such as one jitterbugging sequence, whilst the appearance of classic steam trains and rail yards carry with it a certain historical charm. All in all it's good harmless comedy fare for those who like Askey and similar British films of this ilk. 6.5/10

An absolutely wonderful film.

I was brought up on Arthur Askey and Will Hay films, so I can appreciate the humour. Arthur Askey is my favourite comedian. This has to be one of my favourite films.

The line where Bill says to his wife Sal, 'He'll never make an engine driver, that Wally. His eyes aren't far enough apart to see through the engine windows'. Absolutely priceless!!! The cast is great, with both Arthur and Thora Hird putting in great performances. Also, an hilarious turn from Rob Wilton.

I would recommend this film to anyone who likes silliness! Especially of the Askey variety.

(FYI the guy who played Wally, is, apparently, who Ronnie Barker copied his stutter from in Open All Hours)

i first saw this movie many years ago when British television used to show afternoon matinées.it is one of those movies that is once watched it is hard to forget. So many wonderful scenes, most famous probably being Danny Ross's unbeatable pratfall.The cast is a virtual who's who of the British music hall. apart from the legendary Arthur Askey, you have the aforementioned Danny Ross, the wonderful Glenn Melvyn (Who incidentally gave Ronnie Barker his first break in television,who in turn based his shopkeeper Arkwright from Open All Hours on Melvyn's Stage act).

Who can forget the ever reliable Thora Hird and Patricia Hayes. There was also a young Shirley Eaton 8 years before she turned up covered in gold paint in Goldfinger.There was also William Franklyn (remember him from TVs Masterspy),Edward Chapman who would later be famous as Mr Grimsdale in many a Norman Wisdom Film. Another famous music hall star was Robb Wilton who played the judge who Askey helps fill in his football coupon.Incidentally there was 2 spin off TV series from this classic Love and kisses in 1955 and I'm not bothered in 1956. Wouldn't it be wonderful if British TV started to repeat shows like this or at least release them on D.V.D.