Up the Chastity Belt

Those who remember fondly Frankie Howerd's take on Roman society in 'Up Pompeii' will probably enjoy this bizarre comedy featuring, we presume, Lurkio's descendant, the serf Lurkalot (who does).

The plot is a little contrived, it must be said, and involves twin princes, separated at birth, finding themselves at opposite ends of the social spectrum: one a king, the other a peasant. There's something about the Holy Land, the Crusades and the key to the titular chastity belt - but really the plot is only an excuse for a relentless barrage of gags.

It could be said fairly that much of the content and certainly many of the jokes would probably not be considered appropriate if this film were being made today. But of course, it is important to remember that it is not being made today - it was made quite a long time ago, and attitudes were rather different then. As the title should suggest, much of the subject matter revolves around sex, although it is generally handled fairly innocently in comparison to modern movies, and those able to sit through any of the 'Carry On' films without taking offence should have no trouble with this. For example, the entertainingly camp portrayal of a certain green-clad, forest-dwelling folk hero is positively tame compared to many of the stereotypes and caricatures regularly presented on modern British TV.

In short, those who are able to endure such terrible political incorrectness will find Howerd in fine form, with a supporting cast all hamming it up good and proper in what is essentially a pantomime on film. Definitely worth a look, if you think you dare risk letting yourself laugh at it...

This is one of those films that suffers from a predictable script. The actors all do well with the material they have been given but it's not the best to start with. Having said that there are a lot worse films out there, many of which are hyped with the Hollywood millions films like the 'Up' films never saw. The highlight for me has to be Hugh Paddick as Robin Hood basically reprising his Julian M LeStrange character from the radio show Round the Horne ("Hello I'm Julian and this is my friend Sandy"). With Frankie Howerd starring in a film produced by Ned Sherrin it was only ever going to be a very camp comedy but the result, while not wonderful, is better than average.

Forget about the trendy racist/sexist claims from bob the moo. Everyone and everything is stylized in the movie and it could just as easy be accused of being "kingist" "pigist" "jousterist" etc etc. There is nothing wrong with movie except that it lacks material and is a little boring. Howerd fans will enjoy seeing it. Others will have their curiosity satisfied. Some might find it right on the margin of being a waste of time. It is not as good as Up Pompeii.

The basic plot involves King Richard going off to the crusades, his brother John going to find him, and a servant who helps out the family budget with a chastity belt business, which comes in handy during the search for Richard.

Despite the title, the film would not have any trouble with the censors on the basis of sex or nudity.

This follow up to the filmed version of UP POMPEII sees the Frankie Howerd character (now named 'Lurkalot') transplanted to the medieval era, where he contends with chastity belts, scheming villains, the Crusades and a certain band of forest-dwelling Merry Men.

In other words, it's an excuse for more of the same, with Howerd making regular asides to the viewer and the comedy resembling a particularly smutty and diabolical entry in the CARRY ON series. The first thing that's noticeable is the paucity of the budget, which makes the film look even cheaper than the average episode of DOCTOR WHO and about on the same level as a school play.

The script is also shambolic, little more than a linked string of tired sketches that usually involve half-dressed women used as window dressing. Saying that, the cast is far better than you'd imagine, perhaps giving an inkling of the state of the British film industry during this era. Graham Crowden is delightful as the permanently sozzled Sir Coward de Custard, series regulars Lance Percival and Bill Fraser give it their best, and there are bit parts for Dave Prowse, Christopher Timothy, Frank Thornton, Sam Kydd and Roy Hudd. Watch out for a cameoing Eartha Kitt (on a sabbatical from Hollywood) and scene-stealing Hugh Paddick as the campest Robin Hood you ever will see.

This film is a vehicle for the comedic talents of Frankie Howerd, and if you like his style of humour, the plot is irrelevant. This is a curiously popular movie (it's almost always available on VHS or DVD) considering that there was no TV series to go with it. It was really an extension of Up Pompeii (many of the same people were involved), and feels like it (Lurcio Lurkalot). Frankie's less well-known "Up the Front" (set in WW1) is hardly ever shown or on tape to buy, and the TV show "Whoops, Bagdad" is all but forgotten (possibly with good reason).

Some of the jokes require a knowledge of the state of Britain in the early 1970s, and even if it isn't politically correct by modern standards, most of the audience will be laughing out of nostalgia rather than the freshness of the material, IMHO. When Howerd turns to camera and says "oh, you know this one, don't you", you know that they are going to do the classic open the door in front of the battering ram joke anyway, even though we're all expecting it by then. Many comedians couldn't have carried it off, but that was the age of "camp" comedy. Today, audiences aren't into "camp", which is why so many younger reviewers on this site fail to understand why these films were meant to be funny. (That's why the movie of "The Avengers" was such a horrible failure.)

It is very much a product of its period, but still worth watching today - if you know how to appreciate it.