I Thank You

Really enjoyed it. Cheap, cheerful, entertaining so the highbrow can get stuffed!

Set in London early in World War II, this silly yet charming film is about a group of vaudeville entertainers who are hoping to persuade one time backer Lady Randall to fund a new show – something she is disinclined to do. In an effort to speak to her privately about this, Arthur and Stinker apply for – and get – jobs in Lady Randall's house as a butler and a cook. As the cook, Arthur dresses in drag and actually is quite funny in that disguise. Of course, neither Arthur or Stinker can cook and there is an amusing routine with the cook in the house next door. Moore Marriott plays Lady Randall's nutty father. His batty old man routine got pretty boring and was my least favorite part of the movie. Given the general acclaim other reviewers hold him in, I may need to view more Marriott films to test my initial impression. What I particularly liked about the movie were the novelty songs such as "Oh Johnny Teach Me to Dance", "Hello to the Sun", "Waiting at the Church" and "Let's Get Hold of Hitler". In addition to Askey, the other performers evidently were also former Music Hall entertainers. I liked this one and will likely watch it again.

Arthur Askey's name is pretty much a seal of greatness, and this movie is no exception. If you don't mind his usual corny jokes, you're in for a dream ride with this one. Rivalling Askey in the comedic department is a young, unnamed girl who may well have been the English Gracie Allen with her charming voice and illogical logic. Sadly though, her character was never named, and she does not appear in any credits list for the film.

Askey and co. need a backer for their show, and the usual brass, Lady Randall, won't comply - so they set out for her house to pretend to be the new hired help, and end up getting a lot more than they bargained for! A great movie with a laugh around every corner.

"I Thank You" is the best of the films that Arthur Askey made. With his friends Moore and Graham Moffatt and Richard Murdoch, Askey romps and stomps his way through mayhem with many laughs and chuckles. They are joined by some talented performers of the day that add a musical production touch to this comedy.

The plot is a fairly simple one, but the hilarious chaos of many scenes makes one wonder if it was all scripted that way, or if the leads were just ad-libbing as they went along. It is clear that they were enjoying the making of this film.

No doubt this and other comedies of the period did a lot to ease tensions during the war. Farce of this type probably helped many in England keep the proverbial British stiff upper lip during the German bombing of London. The closing scene of the troupe entertaining Londoners in a bomb shelter was a fitting tribute to the English and to the entertainers who did their part for the war effort.

This is a fun film that rivals the best of the raucous movies of the Marx Brothers and Three Stooges in America.

A tremendously funny film, with quick one liners a plenty.

Interspersed with some very catchy tunes, over acting, and a story line silly enough to follow. One of my all time favorite, British films. Sit back and have a laugh.