Le tire au flanc du régiment

This film has never to my knowledge been available officially on video or DVD and it's a film that has stayed in my mind for years as one of those I always wanted to see again. Well, the opportunity arose recently and I was transported back 48 years or so ago to my local Odeon where I first saw it. It doesn't disappoint and though somewhat dated it still makes me chuckle and the songs are not bad either. The film has a feel good factor and has a plethora of well known British actors of the time including David Lodge, Harry Fowler, Lionel Jeffries and the lovely Anne Aubrey. The token American role is given to William Bendix who is very convincing as an Irish Sergeant Major. The star role is of course the likable Anthony Newley who went on to become a big success in the States as well as the UK and many people of my age group would like to have a DVD of this film, but perhaps they're waiting till we're all dead before they release it!

The whole genre of films concerning national service reached their zenith with films such as 'Carry on Sergeant' - a genuinely funny attempt to portray army life for the new unwilling recruits - and then there was the long running TV series, 'The Army Game.' However, by the time 'Idol on Parade' came along, this vein of humour was already drying up! Watching it seemed like hard work, with the usual painful jokes about new raw army conscripts and their relationships with the stereotypical noisy, bullying sergeant, played by the burly American actor William Bendix, who for the sake of authenticity plays the part as an Irishman, but his accent and bluster doesn't really convince. Just for good measure you had the 'silly arse' posh, chinless wonder officer played by Lionel Jeffries, whose efforts to be permanently exasperated become tiresome and an irritant. The other problem is the age of the actors. David Lodge looks middle aged as does Bendix. As for the star of the film, Anthony Newley, he looks far from being being a fresh faced young man in his late teens and more like someone in his early 30's. The songs are only 'so so' with Newley looking like a crooner rather than an edgy and rebellious rock idol who will ignite the passions of teenage pop fans. The film tries too hard to be funny and the scenes are too contrived. The ending of national service a few years later mercifully marked the end of this genre of film.

Dene was a rock n roll star of the fifties.He was called up for National Service.However he only lasted 2 months before being discharged for mental health reasons.This comic slant on the situation is still quite fun,even though Newley is about 10 years to old for the role.William Bendix was one of my favourite actors,though good in this part was about 10 years too old.I liked Lionel Jefferies too but here he goes just a bit too far over the top.

Although based upon a book by William Camp, this Albert Broccoli-produced service comedy seems to trail on the tail-end of the real-life Elvis Presley induction story. There's confusion within the British Army when a pop singing star is called upon for service, creating havoc within the ranks; seems the idol's managers don't want their client's fame to fade, smuggling him out of the barracks at different intervals to perform or record new songs. This must be the most relaxed Army Regiment on film! William Bendix gives the best performance as a blow hard sergeant with a soft spot, but Anthony Newley is improbably cast in the leading role. Newley's cabaret mannerisms were just starting to form at this time, and though he performs his song numbers smoothly, he isn't the dynamic powerhouse of Elvis (nor, indeed, any of Elvis' general competition of this era). Newley is actually the antithesis of rock 'n roll, however he does handle the comedy routines with charm and there are some amusing bits and pieces. ** from ****

Poor Elvis Presley. Had he realized he could have done his military obligation and not have to put a career on hold, he might very well have become a British subject.

Elvis's being drafted into the army was world wide news back in the day and the British sought to take advantage of it with this film, Idol On Parade. It casts Anthony Newley as a young British rock and roller who has to do his national service and even being a teen idol won't get him out of it.

His status causes no end of grief to Captain Lionel Jeffries and the drill sergeant William Bendix. Around this time Bendix went over across the pond and made a few features for the British film industry. He mastered an Irish accent quite well for the part. I wouldn't have thought anyone as American urban as Bill Bendix could have carried it off, but he did.

The interesting thing I found was that I had just finished reading Tommy Steele's memoirs, Bermondsey Boy, where Steele goes into some detail about his national service. He eschewed military service for the sea, serving as a steward on one of her Majesty's ocean liners. Actually some of what Tommy had to say would make an interesting film.

Newley fits the role well as a teen idol and the lovely Anne Aubrey who is Jeffries's daughter in the film is his romantic interest. That's part, but only part of the story of Idol On Parade.