Sailor Beware

The title 'Sailor Beware!' suggest a service comedy, but it's really a domestic farce with a preponderance of females dominated by Peggy Mount (whose view of men is that "you can't reason with a man you've gotta train them"), while Gordon Jackson is actually seen sharing a bed with Ronald Lewis, with sweet little Esma Cannon described by Jackson as "the bride of the harem"; while only in the movies could Mount have such a fox for a niece as Joy Webster.

The transfer to the screen is pretty rudimentary so it comes as quite a shock to see that the lighting has been entrusted to Douglas Slocombe and that it was produced by Jack Clayton.

In my opinion one of those lesser known comedies that seen advertised one would pass up.That would be a grate shame as there are some of Britain's classic 1950's comedy actors staring.Peggy mount steals the film she plays as always the "dragon" but as always plays it so well. Life as it was warts and all and a time of morals right or wrong which has passed by.

This film begins with a sailor by the name of "Albert Tufnell" (Ronald Lewis) arriving at his home port in England to marry his bride "Shirley Hornett" (Shirley Eaton). With Albert is his fellow shipmate "Carnoustie Bligh" (Gordon Jackson) who will serve as his best man. Since the wedding is scheduled for the next day plans have been made for the two of them to stay in another house not far away. However, upon meeting the two sailors Shirley's mother "Emma Hornett" (Peggy Mount) decides that in order to keep a close eye on them that they should spend the night at her house instead. Not particularly concerned about where they sleep, both Albert and Carnoustie defer to Emma. Unforltunately, it isn't long until they come to regret this decision as they discover that she is terribly loud and bossy-and this creates all kinds of trouble for everyone concerned. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that, while I didn't have much interest in this film at first, it got pretty funny after about 20 minutes or so. I especially liked the performances of "Cyril Smith" (as Emma's husband "Henry Hornett") and Esma Cannon (as Henry's sister "Edie Hornett") who meekly tolerated the constant streams of criticisms from Emma in comic fashion. Be that as it may, while this movie may not have been a great comedy by any means, it was still entertaining in its own right and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Make time to see this classic British film and see the many stars that would become household names in the 60's and 70's. Peggy Mount dominates the film as the 'dragon' as only she could, stealing every scene she is in, with admirable support from her fellow cast members. This film takes you back to a time when your neighbours were part of your family and your doors were never locked as you had nothing to fear. Portraying what was good and decent in a time when the war was still a recent memory, indeed some rationing was still a part of life, this film shows what was expected of people, respect each other and abide by their standards. Other cast members went on to greater things eg Gordon Jackson{Upstairs Downstairs, The Professionals} and Shirley Eaton and Geoffrey Keen became part of James Bond folklore.

A much-loved British classic, from the stage play and bringing across its great and talented mouthy star, Peggy Mount, as the loud-voiced matriarch Emma, terrorising her ferret-loving husband Henry (a brilliant performance from Cyril Smith), her sister-in-law Edie (the wonderful Esma Cannon), and the about to be wed daughter and sailor son-in-law (portrayed well by Bond golden girl Shirley Eaton and Ronald Lewis). Colour is added by haughty niece Daphne (Joy Webster), a Scots sailor pal (the reliable Gordon Jackson), and of course, the nosy neighbour, played to perfection by Thora Hird. Sailor Beware! is much of its time, with Mount at full volume throughout, but is very funny and if not a great film, a good diversion.