During World War II, a street peddler invents a story about enlisting, which convinces the magistrate to send him to the RAF instead of prison. A new loyal friend goes along with his schemes... Read allDuring World War II, a street peddler invents a story about enlisting, which convinces the magistrate to send him to the RAF instead of prison. A new loyal friend goes along with his schemes to avoid work, but eventually duty calls.During World War II, a street peddler invents a story about enlisting, which convinces the magistrate to send him to the RAF instead of prison. A new loyal friend goes along with his schemes to avoid work, but eventually duty calls.
- Sgt. Ellis
- (as Graham Starke)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn 1965, at the height of the James Bond craze, "American-International Pictures" released this movie in the U.S. as "Operation Snafu". The title, as well as the advertising campaign, downplayed the comedic aspects of the movie, and by highlighting Sir Sean Connery's appearance (he was second-billed), suggested it was an espionage thriller in the tradition of the James Bond movies that were then breaking box-office records worldwide.
- Quotes
Flora McNaughton: [sudden power cut, room dimly lit by the roaring fire] I must find some candles, can't eat in the dark.
Flora McNaughton: [Flora chattering, as Pedlar moves closer] when we were children we used to hide in the dark and try to scare each other.
Pedlar Pascoe: You're not scared now ma'am now are you ?
[putting his arms around Flora]
Flora McNaughton: No but... .
Flora McNaughton: [Pedlar kisses Flora and sweeps her into his arms] Airman, put me down, this instance !
Flora McNaughton: [Pedlar kisses Flora again] Put me down... .. and take off your boots.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Film '72: Never Say Never Again Special (1983)
Lynch is a fabulous character though, a cockney conman who gets pinched peddling his wares at a recruitment station line and then has to enlist to prove those were his intentions being there. But once in the service he sees Ferengi like lucrative opportunities to make business killings.
His best friend turns out to be an amiable and diffident Sean Connery who just cheerfully accepts life as it comes. He and Lynch become quite a team in their business enterprises and in their skillful avoidance of where the fighting is until almost the end of the war.
The film also has in it the presence of American comedian Alan King of our Army Airs Corps who is as skilled an operator for the Yanks as Lynch and Connery are for their king and country. King was a rising star at the time, Ed Sullivan always had him on his variety show several times a year and no doubt his presence helped sell the film on this side of the pond.
Two great British character actors are here as well. Cecil Parker playing a most pompous air marshal who just can't quite put these guys out of business. Their enterprises do come to his attention. And Stanley Holloway plays a butcher with whom they go into profit selling black market beef from the RAF Commissary. And to hear them tell it, Lynch and Connery are doing a patriotic service as well as making a few bucks on the side.
It's been said that Sean Connery shows no gift for comedy. If you saw A Fine Madness you might have some grounds for saying that, but in On The Fiddle, he's quite droll in some of the lines he drops. Anyway his fans will not be disappointed.
- bkoganbing
- Mar 14, 2009
- Permalink
- How long is On the Fiddle?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Operation Snafu
- Filming locations
- Shere, Surrey, England, UK(Butcher's Shop)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.66 : 1