karl-a-hughes

This is a rather weak film with litte to no story line and really rather poor acting. It's simply a vehicle to present a succession of British rock 'n' roll bands from 1958. What strikes me as odd is that none of the acts presented are either famous or particularly good. I'm guessing that this would be just the type of music that my parents would have gone out rockin' and rollin' to of a Saturday evening down at the local dance hall. So, if you want to see a succession of competent amateur performers doing their bit, this film is for you.

Times were changing, and it's clear that most of the actors were too old to be digging this kind of music, but then, at this time rock and roll wasn't always being performed by youngsters. As with other music films of this pre-Beatles era it captures a time when people seemed happy to drink coffee from glass mugs, and click their fingers in time to the groovy rhythm.

This is fascinating to watch, but ultimately it's a poor film.

I really enjoyed this film, especially being able to spot so many character actors in small roles. Early appearances for Barbara Windsor and Joan Sims, and appearances by Joan Hickson, Marianne Stone and Dandy Nichols (all would appear in Carry On films). Seeing Marianne in this film makes me realise it's a shame that she never went on to have larger comedy parts.

This film might have been better if the parents had been played by British character actors rather than American, and it leaves me wondering who I'd have chosen as the well-to-do parents if I was able to cast. Dirk Bogarde and Julie Christie maybe?

As others have said, despite the subject matter this film is carried off quite light heartedly, and the colour photography is lovely. Well worth 90 minutes of your life.

This play, originally an ITV Play of the Day, is a bonus feature on the complete box set of On The Buses. It's interesting to see Reg Varney acting in a straight role (straight as in not comedy) as the cabaret act in a small caravan park. It's a low-budget, almost kitchen sink drama portraying the break up of Sherry's (Reg Varney's character) marriage. As someone who only knows Reg Varney from his comedy roles this is a refreshing treat, Reg turns out to be rather good here. There are a few familiar faces in the supporting cast, and although Reg stars his role does not dominate. This drama is certainly not a comedy, so don't expect something along the lines of The Rag Trade or On The Buses, instead you can expect something more like early Ken Loach. To find this drama on the complete On The Buses box set is odd as this won't naturally appeal to OTB fans. On the other hand, someone looking to search out low-key plays from the 60s is likely not to enjoy On The Buses. Worth seeking out and watching.