Review by Spondonman

My Learned Friend was Will Hay's last great film, imho only surpassed by Oh Mr Porter from 6 years before. As a guide over the years I've seen this one about 9 times and the latter probably over 20 times by now. For a British film made in the War (even though it points out at the beginning it's set Pre-War) there's not a single reference to Hitler & Co. or current politics - most refreshing! That's not to denigrate or lessen the importance of the war against terror, just I'm glad for once it didn't raise a propaganda head in an ordinary comedy.

Mervyn Johns is out to do in all those people who put him behind bars previously by murdering them one by one. Hay is included as he botched up Johns' defence, and eventually Claude Hulbert too by being Hay's cohort in helping try track him down. The gags and set-piece routines flow thick and fast in only 70 minutes and not a second is wasted - even the final moments leave you in suspense..! My favourite bits are in Safety Wilson's dive, much is made of Hulbert's oddness in such an odd place.

Hay's comic timing was impeccable as usual, while Hulbert shone in his finest silly ass performance - what a memorable team they made! Although if Hay had been well enough to continue his film career I wonder if he would have jettisoned Hulbert the same as he did with Marriott and Moffat? The film is a wonder to behold, and an endless wonder to me why it's nearly always ignored.