Orders Are Orders

Incredibly enough this was the second film version of an ancient army farce 'satirising' the film business. It's one of those rare films with an Introducing credit that actually counts for something, since it's Tony Hancock who's being introduced; and he gets the final close up. However, it was not an auspicious film debut since when he took his wife to see it at the Astoria in Charing Cross Road and asked if he'd be able to get in, was told "Get in? You can have the whole circle if you want it"! Hancock's future TV co-star 'Sidney' (as he was then billed) James playing yet another of the Americans he was then typecast as himself dismissed it as "a bit of a stinker".

It's more interesting to watch now than it was at the time since in addition to Hancock & James so many of the cast later made their mark on TV, including Bill Fraser, Gerald Campion and Eric Sykes (whose only screen credit is for additional dialogue). Maureen Pryor is memorably laconic as the gum-chewing continuity girl in trousers; and even Donald Pleasance puts in a fleeting appearance.

And of course there's a plump young Peter Sellers who a dozen years later reprised this film's plot for 'After the Fox' as well as guesting in Hancock's final completed film, 'The Wrong Box'.

This is a remake of the 1934 film made by Gaumont British starring James Gleason and Charlotte Greenwood.Not exactly star but actors with substantial careers on the American stage and screen.This film has a very similar script and no American stars.However it has three iconic comedy actors,James,Hancock and Sellars.However they are all defeated by the script.Hancock seems to be enjoying himself I charge of the army band.James is wildly unconvincing as the American director,and Sellers has a small part ad a bar steward.There are a lot of familiar faces such as Raymond Huntley in supporting roles,however this is is definitely a film to miss.

I saw this film in the cinema with my parents in 1954 and I'm obliged to confess that we thought it quite funny at the time. Tony Hancock's voice was familiar to us, but it was the first time we'd ever seen him on screen; apart from the Goon shows, Peter Sellars was best known to the general public for a variety of characters he played in the radio series 'Ray's a Laugh'. They both came across as quite amusing. The tastes of the viewing-public are now far more sophisticated, and it is easy to berate the director for not having made better use of the (potentially) huge pool of talent he had at his command. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Sixty-six years ago, it wasn't such a bad comedy as all that

A run of the mill army barracks in Bilchester is overrun by a film company planning to make a Z grade science fiction movie. All seems to being going well as the pretty lady actors have the barracks in a tizzy and get the soldiers to play a part. That is until the Divisional Commander turns up for one of his inspections.

Tho far from being at the top of the cast list, this sub-standard remake of a 1933 film of the same name is of interest to see the names Peter Sellers, Sid James & Tony Hancock in the same movie. However, the truth is is that it's a poor movie that is directed badly by David Paltenghi and the source material really doesn't transfer well to the screen. Based on a play written by Ian Hay in 1932, the makers seems to think that by weaving chaotic scenes with chaotic shouty dialogue that that is going to make for a mirthful movie. It doesn't.

Released to DVD in 2007 as part of a collection called Long Lost Comedy Classics, this is easily the weakest of the set. Other titles in the collection are Miss Robin Hood, John & Julie, Make Me An Offer, The Love Match and the quite brilliant Time Gentlemen Please!. Orders Are Orders smacks of being a "set filler" and exists purely because of the names attached to it (Brian Reece, Margot Grahame & Raymond Huntley also star). 3/10 for Huntley's efforts and James' bizarre American accent

Having visited a plague upon us called 'Keep it Clean', director (I use the term loosely) David Paltenghi has again committed celluloid crime with 'Orders are Orders'. This is the film that introduced Tony Hancock to the silver screen. Based upon this performance he was lucky to work again. Thank God for Galton and Simpson! Sid James, who was destined to play such a pivotal role in Hancock's career has the worst American accent I have ever heard whilst Peter Sellers is simply underwhelming. What is amazing about Sellers is how he transformed himself physically in his perverse desire to be a sex symbol! Where on earth Brian Reece came from and where he went is of little or no interest. Stalwarts Raymond Huntley and Clive Morton are among those taking the money and running. The ghastliness of the female contingent beggars belief. It is now my avowed intention to avoid this dreadful director's output entirely or I shall be carried out screaming and not with laughter!