Panic in the Parlor

In my opinion one of those lesser known comedies that seen advertised one would pass up.That would be a grate shame as there are some of Britain's classic 1950's comedy actors staring.Peggy mount steals the film she plays as always the "dragon" but as always plays it so well. Life as it was warts and all and a time of morals right or wrong which has passed by.

The title 'Sailor Beware!' suggest a service comedy, but it's really a domestic farce with a preponderance of females dominated by Peggy Mount (whose view of men is that "you can't reason with a man you've gotta train them"), while Gordon Jackson is actually seen sharing a bed with Ronald Lewis, with sweet little Esma Cannon described by Jackson as "the bride of the harem"; while only in the movies could Mount have such a fox for a niece as Joy Webster.

The transfer to the screen is pretty rudimentary so it comes as quite a shock to see that the lighting has been entrusted to Douglas Slocombe and that it was produced by Jack Clayton.

Make time to see this classic British film and see the many stars that would become household names in the 60's and 70's. Peggy Mount dominates the film as the 'dragon' as only she could, stealing every scene she is in, with admirable support from her fellow cast members. This film takes you back to a time when your neighbours were part of your family and your doors were never locked as you had nothing to fear. Portraying what was good and decent in a time when the war was still a recent memory, indeed some rationing was still a part of life, this film shows what was expected of people, respect each other and abide by their standards. Other cast members went on to greater things eg Gordon Jackson{Upstairs Downstairs, The Professionals} and Shirley Eaton and Geoffrey Keen became part of James Bond folklore.

An absolute classic of its time. Peggy Mount is wonderful to observe as she plays the mother in law from hell (you can keep 'Meet The Parents'. Esma Cannon, the classic comedy regular, is a joy as the brow beaten sister in law, as is Cyril Smith as the henpecked husband who tries to find solace with his ferrets on the back yard, he does goes off the rails occasionally, raising Peggy Mounts temper. Also, keep an eye open for Thora Hird playing the archetypal interfering nosey neighbour. If you enjoy and appreciate British classic comedy films then you shouldn't miss this one, anyone who says otherwise is really missing the point and doesn't understand British comedy at all.

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