The Boys in Blue

I remember going to see this as a kid and at the time (i was 11) I loved it. Having seen it again recently I'm sorry to say that I again loved it. I know it's a bad film but there's something about it (or that period) that fills me with nostalgia and I suppose makes me smile. Ask a Policeman is of course a classic and far superior, however I'm afraid i like them both.....sorry

The original version of this film (Will Hay's 'Ask A Policeman) was a classic. This, the remake, wern't as bad as some people said. Starring 80's comedy icons Cannon and Ball, the plot went that the two bungling policemen were in danger of losing their jobs because of the lack of crime in their little town of Little Bottom (pronounced Botham). Until some bad people start to steal a load of pricless paintings. The two start to investigate, even encountering a ufo along the way. I liked this film. I wish i could still get it. (I'm looking around for it but am unable to. If anyone knows where I can get a copy, type to this page, please!!! I will be in your debt!)

I recently bought this film on DVD and it is still as funny as watching the first time in the cinema. A mixture of slapstick and funny lines make this a film that only C&B fans will really appreciate and enjoy, you also get some great brit actors as well such as Roy Kinnear, Eric Sykes, Jack Douglas, Jon Pertwee and Arthur English. It is a remake of the Will Hay movie Ask A Policeman, although I can only vaguely remember the Will Hay version, it is a pretty simple plot to follow. C&B play two hapless policemen in the village of Little Bottom and they are called into some police work when art thieves try to smuggle out some stolen paintings. This will appeal to anyone who grew up in the 80's and enjoyed watching C&B

An appallingly stilted remake of a Will Hay classic (Ask A Policeman) featuring two comedians who look extremely uncomfortable outside the comforts of the TV studio or theatre. Compulsive viewing for anyone wishing to relive the nadir of the British film industry when TV tie-ins were considered a good investment. This film betrays it's limited budget in a number of ways particularly as it has the 'can't afford to wait for a sunny day' syndrome that adds a depressing gloom to so many British movies of this period. No laughs, no fun, nothing.

Since Cannon and Ball were quite a popular duo back in the late 1970's - mid 1980s, it was no surprise they got their own film version; in C & B case theirs was a loose remake of Will Hay's 'Ask A Policeman' (which I have not seen).

I could go on about the flaws and pacing - and I won't take any issue there - but this is a just silly comedy from a bygone era. I can watch this on an afternoon as a bit of harmless, undemanding viewing - and the various cameoes are quite fun.

But I take issue with the criticism that this is the worst British film ever, etc. A masterpiece it is not, but I could name half a dozen that a far, far worse....