Though this film is somewhat of a sequel to 1955’s Private’s Progress one does not need to see that film to jump right into this one and enjoy the hilarity that ensues. From the famed Boulting Brothers of British cinema comes this wonderful black comedy that pokes fun at the relations between unions and their employers. But there is so much more than that. Along for the ride we have Ian Carmichael as the leading player in the shenanigans. He finds himself the major reason for the tug of war between both sides which are led by the likes of Terry-Thomas, Dennis Price and a young Richard Attenborough on the side of management up against the force that is Peter Sellers as the leader of the labor Union that has forsaken it’s membership from working.

all right jack

Carmichael returns here as Stanley Windrush from the earlier film. He has a wonderful knack at being naive which leads to various problems getting blown out of proportion. He winds up a perfect pawn here being used by our shady players Price and Attenborough to launch major problems down at the missile factory. The one and only gap toothed British cad Terry-Thomas runs the factory and is constantly trying to pull something over on Union leader Sellers. Peter finds himself in too deep after allowing Carmichael to board at his flat where upon his buxom daughter takes a shine to Carmichael. Carmichael is quite taken with her. After all she is a spindle polisher down at the factory.

Part of the joy with this film is watching some first class scene stealers go head to head. Sellers got the final laugh as he would win the British Academy’s Best Actor of the year and the Boulting’s won for screenplay.

sellers

Miss Marple herself, Margaret Rutherford stars here as well as Ian’s well to do aunt which just adds to the conflicting levels of class that the film has fun with. There are plenty of pokes going on here at many different levels of society and though the film has aged it still holds true to many of today’s working class issues. Plenty of familiar faces here from this era of British cinema with appearances from Miles Malleson, Kenneth Griffin and John Le Mesurier.

This is one that deserves multiple viewings. Every time I see it I catch another line with a double meaning. How about when Stanley’s visiting Dad at the local nudist colony and the ladies badminton team want him to join in and he’s not interested. “None of us are terribly hot you know” comes there response in trying to lure him on to the field of play. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this one.