Oh, Mr. Porter!

A much loved member of my "favourite films of all time" list. I first saw it on Saturday morning pictures for sixpence in the early fifties and thought it was brilliant. Got it on DVD and would still sit down and watch it if it came on the telly. Some films are like classical music, you're always pleased to come across them. This is one of mine.No need for CGI, no need for colour, no need for Hollywood window dressing and mega hype, its a taste of a different world, a different era and with less sophistication. Will Hay pompously fumbles and struts his way through one disaster after another, aided by his two lieutenants and a good time is had by all.

An absolutely classic comedy on every frontier, the chemistry between the three leads is perfect, with each actor pulling his own weight to deliver in this comedy gem that has often been hailed as one of the best British comedies of all time. The jokes are not only funny but charming too most of the time, and although the plot and characters are quite silly, they are all well written for their purpose. The film's technical side is quite impressive too, in particular considering its age, with some great cinematography, a perfectly creaky set design and effective dissolve editing. The special effects and stunt work is also worth marveling at, and the overall film is largely enjoyable. It is not deep, and it is rather silly, but if those qualities can be overlooked, a fun, funny and generally well made film awaits.

'Oh, Mr Porter!' is seen as possible the most popular of the many films made staring Wil Hay. The team of three (Graham Moffat, Moore Marriot and Hay) seem to fit together well leading each other to witty and well perform punchlines that capture the spirit of the early black and white comedy genre. The tale, based on the placement of a lack lustre station manager at a sleepy backwater station in Ireland, is the perfect setting for Hay to act out his famous role as the bumbling but likable head of operations. Assisted by Marriot and Moffat the three find themselves embroiled in a gun running plot and the ghost of the old miller. Great fun and a reflection of an era long gone.

This has to be the all time best British comedy film, filmed quickly and cheaply as usual. Since I was a kid in the early '70's I've seen it more times than any other film except the Wizard of Oz and maybe the Big Sleep - see it once a year and it still seems amazingly fresh and funny. It's always been one of my daughters' favourite films, so I know it's not just me and similar oldies. And yet it doesn't appear in any of the American film books I've read, I can only surmise they don't show it in the US. It's their terrible loss, and I would urge all fun loving Americans to hunt down and view a copy!

Rundown railway station gets rundown railway station master and staff, up against gun smugglers and the ghost of One Eyed Joe. British humour maybe, but completely clean and non offensive if paradoxically also a little non PC - not like today! Fast and frantic, there's more gags a minute than most (if not all) other film comedies from any country or era. What a Golden Age it would have been if all pre-War British films could have been like this, instead of the quota quickies they churned out.

Will Hay/Moore Marriott/Graham Moffatt/Marcel Varnel/Gainsborough's masterpiece for succeeding discerning generations to discover and cherish.

If anyone out there still "does the ironing", this is a perfect movie to watch while doing so. Time flies and so does the ironing! This and Arthur Askey's Ghost Train. Great and innocent FUN! Even if slightly dimwitted!I wish they still made comedies like this today.