1960? Really? The plot, such as it was is a childish take on an Ealing Comedy and is basically a vehicle for Anthony Newley to hone his light comedy acting chops. It's a real time capsule. The "kids" all look about 25 and it's clear that the producers consider "jazz" something those crazy kids will groove to. Ted Heath's Band (England's answer to the American Big Bands of Glen Miller, Woody Herman, Tommy Dorsey and others)seems to be mostly decorative with Ted himself seen in several shots. Costuming is another eyeopener, the non-acting extras are basically in baggy jeans or corduroys, Aran sweaters (men)and twin sets paired with flared skirts with voluminous slips beneath (ladies) - very student style then - I suspect they were recruited from the many jazz clubs around London at the time. In contrast Newley and the bad guys chasing him wear sharp, tight fitting suits and Aubrey and Blair are in cocktail dresses (why?). David Lodge is almost unrecognizable with a full beard and glasses (at first I thought he was supposed to be a rabbi...). James Booth is an early incarnation of his stereotype Cockney villain and Bernie Winters is the comic foil as the traditional "sidekick" that in US films always went to Phil Silvers, sadly Winters lacks both the talent and charm of Silvers managing instead to irritate and bore in equal measure. The film has value as a peep into the world of popular music and youth fashion, the music and the clothes were what their PARENTS had liked. In less than two years the whole music and clothing world was thrown into turmoil with the arrival of The Beatles and all the beat groups that followed them. Swinging London was about to erupt and all the conventions that this film displays were swept away.
