alaneobrien

Dick Emery plays all of his most loved characters in this film. The plot revolves around Emery and his recently deceased former partner in crime. Eight women have tattoos on their bums which Emery has to find. It is actually a very clever and original plot. It would be ideal for a remake by Austin Powers. I have a feeling it could have been funnier though; probably by NOT including all of Emery's TV characters. Sometimes they appear in a very unnatural way.

Look at the cast list of this film; try and name someone famous in late 1960s British comedy who is not there. It is not easy. This film had a huge comic talent to call on, a promising premiss, writers-a-go-go and the head-start of a fairly funny punning title. Where did they go wrong? Where did they go right?! Here is a question: into which of the 7 deadly sins would one normally put the notoriously leering Casanova Leslie Phillips? If you answered 'Gluttony' you are absolutely correct! He eats his way through a load of éclairs and has a heart attack. Spike Milligan's segment--Sloth--is probably the best overall, mainly because it is silent. However, director Graeme Stark has written quite a small masterpiece in 'Lust'--a more or less one man play with the sadly-missed Harry H Corbett. He plays the rather sad Ambrose Twombly (the fastest lighter on the Bakerloo). This is my favourite segment although it is clouded by a pathetic ending. It is worth watching this film; I think anyone would definitely enjoy it. But when it is over you will probably think, as I did, 'Why wasn't that funnier?'

Although Norman is often disparaged in the land of his birth there can be no doubt that this is a very funny and original film. If you have not seen this film I would like to advise you that it contains one of the funniest scenes on celluloid: Norman has always been turned down for the Police because of his height; he is much too short. Following an epiphanic moment in the street he goes along to his next medical - in stilts! Gags abound in the doctor's room ending with a quite hilarious punchline from the doctor. These old b&w films can be picked up fairly cheaply on video now. If you see this one get it - that scene alone is worth the money.