Up the Front (1972)

Frankie Howerd stars in this comedy as a lowly boot-boy who is a terrible coward. He only goes to war in 1914 after he has been hypnotised to 'save England'. With the German master plan ... See full summary »

Director:

Bob Kellett

Writers:

Sid Colin (screenplay), Eddie Braben (screenplay),

Stars:

Frankie Howerd, Bill Fraser, William Mervyn

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frankie Howerd	...	Lurk
Bill Fraser	...	Groping
William Mervyn	...	Lord Twithampton
Linda Gray	...	Lady Twithampton
Jonathan Cecil	...	Nigel / Nigel Phipps Fortescue
Madeline Smith	...	Fanny
Nicholas Bennett	...	Mallett
Mike Grady	...	Newsboy
Dora Bryan	...	Cora Crumpington
Stanley Holloway	...	The Great Vincento / Vincento
Veronica Clifford	...	Velma
Peter Greenwell	...	Pianist / Accordianiste / Leader of the Orchestra
Barrie Gosney	...	Stage Manager
Bob Hoskins	...	Recruiting Sgt.
Lance Percival	...	Von Gutz

Storyline

Frankie Howerd stars in this comedy as a lowly boot-boy who is a terrible coward. He only goes to war in 1914 after he has been hypnotised to 'save England'. With the German master plan tattooed on his backside (this is the only way he could get the plan back to the British), he goes to the British headquarters, with the Germans in hot pursuit, to try and 'hand over the plans'!!!

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Plot Keywords:

based on tv series | sequel | independent film

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Taglines:

When only Frankie's cheek could save Britain from the Hun

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

July 1972 (UK)

Also Known As:

Kommandosache 'Nackter Po'

Filming Locations:

Elstree Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anglo-EMI

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Lurk is trying to write a poem, there are two literary references. He parodies "The Soldier" by Rupert Brooke and mentions the novel, "All Quiet on the Western Front", by Erich Maria Remarque.

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Goofs

When the Sign at Moniques is splattered by mud the N is only partially covered but in the next shot the N is completely covered.

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Quotes

Vincento: [drunkenly] I will take your breath away.
Lurk: [recoiling] I wish you'd take yours away!

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Connections

Follows Up Pompeii (1971)

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Soundtracks

"Alouette"
(uncredited)
Traditional
Sung by the French officer in the toilet

User Reviews

Disappointing

I have to say this film is a big disappointment especially when you see the actors in it. Frankie Howerd was always better with a live audience to bounce catchphrases off (he could make three jokes last over half an hour like that). This film also features stalwarts of the British film scene such as Stanley Holloway, William Mervyn, Bill Fraser, Dora Bryan and Lance Percival with early bit parts for Bob Hoskins and Mike Grady. Madeline Smith provides the love interest for most of the film as Fanny, loved by both Lurk (Howerd) and Groping (Fraser). Zsa Zsa Gabor turns up as Mata Hari which says a lot about the film and the state of Gabor's career at the time. Jonathan Cecil gives one of his best performances as the twit son of the family who becomes a spy and Hermione Baddeley is marvellous as the brothel madame. Gertan Klauber and Stanley Lebor play almost exactly the same characters as they play in Soft Beds, Hard Battles as slightly sinister but ultimately comic heavies. The story is basically about the spy stealing the German master plan for the war and the efforts of the Germans to get it back while the Brits try to get it to the General at HQ. It ought to have been a lot better. I do have a big soft spot for this film despite its failings.