Sailor Beware

Based on the play by Falkland L. Cary {sreenplay writer here as well}, Sailor Beware is one of those amiable British comedies from the 50s that let you while away a couple of hours without much call for thought. The premise is basically that Sailor Albert Tufnell is to be wed to the gorgeous Shirley Hornett, only trouble is is that his Mother-In-Law to be, Emma, is a battle axe of the highest order. Constantly interfering and convinced that nobody is good enough for her Shirley, Emma sets about making everyone's life a misery running up to the wedding day. Poor father of the bride Henry, best man Carnoustie Bligh, batty aunt Edie, and of course Albert himself; all of them are bossed about to within an inch of their respective lives. Will the wedding go ahead? Will a miracle happen and Emma finally keep her nose out of blossoming love? These are questions answered as the film comes to it's delightfully tidy conclusion. Featuring a towering performance from Peggy Mount as Emma and a very undervalued comic turn from Cyril Smith as Henry, Sailor Beware holds few surprises. But in that there is nothing wrong, for this is good honest entertainment not asking you to scratch the head and ponder about the story within. 6/10