Falsa alarma

Anthony Kemp is "Tony", a lad with a fairly vivid imagination whose tall tales have caused him to fall foul of the local police once or twice in the past. His father is the Lord Mayor, and whilst rehearsing for an impending visit from none-other than the Prime Minister, he happens upon a plot to kidnap the VIP. Naturally, nobody takes him seriously but can he thwart the plan with the aid of just two of his school friends "Mary" (Mary Burleigh) and "Martin" (Martin Beaumont) and save the day? Well, what do you think? It's quite an engaging little Children's Film Foundation crime caper, with decent efforts from the duplicitous journalist "Stella" (Judy Cornwell) and long suffering police inspector "Blake" (Alfred Bell). Most of these films work well enough as they offered simple stories made for kids featuring kids in the leading roles - and this one passes an hour quite effortlessly.

An Imaginative young boy called Tony who's dad is the town mayor, seems to get mistaken with a lot of things he sees. To cut a long story short no one believes him when he really does see a gun pointing out of a window as he uncovers a kidnap and ransom attempt on the commonwealth Prime Minister who is meeting his dad the town mayor. Any how the young boy saves the day with the help of his friends Mary and Martin, but is nearly tricked by a woman photographer known as Stella whom he befriends is also part of of the criminal operation. Its was nearly 25 years ago i last saw this film but thankfully I tracked it down online and obtained a copy. I did say I would love to see this film again but i doubt i ever will, but I have and it just brought me so much satisfaction sharing the film with my children. CFF films aren't shown on TV anymore. CBBC used to have a Friday film special for an hour in the 80's during its broom cupboard reign and broad-casted this film up to the late 1980's.

No B&W bombsites here or urchins making their own amusement in dens or camps. We are firmly in the bright-coloured Swinging Sixties with Mini Mokes (a beach buggy based on the Austin Mini) and mini dresses and coats-the attractive Judy Cornwell sporting these.

It's the usual theme of kids unearthing a plot/crime, no one believing them of course; some nervy chases and confinements; eventual beating/capture of the baddies; rueful apologies from Dad/Authority.

It slightly loses its way towards the end but, hey, this is for kids and all the young actors here play their parts well, and it must have been enjoyed in the day.

There are many, many cameos-some of substance like Pat Coombes, and some of brief seconds like Old Man Steptoe.

Another interesting CFF time capsule.