Demobbed

I cannot pretend for one instant that this film will make you want to rush to see it again, or even watch past the first reel, but contrary to the previous damming reviews, it stands as an historical document, and for that be grateful.

It is no use reviewing such a film with modern eyes and ears, times were very different, and this sort of fare was very popular at the time as audiences knew the artists concerned from trips to the music halls and theatres, and contrary to what one previous reviewer states, to people who know about the history of variety, many of the names are well known. However, that is a separate issue.

I am grateful to have seen this as a novelty, and any film with Anne Ziegler & Webster Booth is worth a watch. Like anything we can have available, if you don't like it, switch off, but don't damn with faint praise if you haven't a clue what you're talking about!

Demobbed (1944) - John E. Blakeley.

An enjoyably boisterous, rough n' tumble, mostly chucklesome musical hall comedy that unsubtly blends drama, broad comedy skits, noisome slapstick shenanigans and not unpleasantly sentimental light opera interludes. I must openly admit, even on paper, that sounds like eminently righteous fare, and to the film-makers credit, Demobbed is a frantic, occasionally misfiring, rewardingly gag-heavy, war-era morale booster. Adroitly performing rapid-fire exchanges, the breathlessly energetic cast seem equally adept at bawdy character parts and athletic physical comedy. Demobbed proved to be an unexpectedly entertaining vintage treat, a joyous admixture of speedy Marx Bros shtick, and bruising Keaton-esque pratfalls, being both compellingly ridiculous, and utterly charming! It is quite easy to imagine 40s cinema goers finding Demobbed an absolute riot, and seen today, I earnestly believe that it remains a fun watch, providing more than cosy tea and biccies nostalgia. There is an especially memorable sequence whereby one of the cast plays a ventriloquists dummy with extraordinary verisimilitude, while amusing, it could quite easily have become something infinitely more bizarre!

How anyone actually paid to see this would be my question. It's actually dreadfully unfunny, and if this serves as a legacy to the players then it is no wonder that their names are no longer familiar.

This is almost patronising to the expected audience, perhaps the order of the day, was the film-makers, toffs (the money-men) to throw such things together to serve such tripe to an ever so humble working class.

The 'packing case' sketch sums this film up, "So I'm a liar am I?" Oh dear...

This film was made by John Blakelys Mancunian Films.Its studio i recall was a converted church.It made low budget films mainly for Northern audiences.This film is very typical of the type of films that they made.Essentially it is really no more than a variety show/revue with a very slim plot line attached.Most of the humour is very broad and of the type most popular in the music halls at the time.It has to be said that the film has really lost what little entertainment it ever had and it is really a rather creaky historical document,showing what the various acts,such as Norman Evans were like in the mid forties.Unless you still enjoy the sort of humour on view in this film or are a student of the music hall you may as well give this film a wide berth.

This is the worst film I have currently seen. l am a fan of will hay and others of his ilk but he was not in it and l can understand.

Do not waste your time. Some films are so bad that they are entertaining.

l would have given this a negative if l was able