Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! (1973)

Based on the hit play. A British Government Minister puts forward a bill to battle filth in the UK but that doesn't stop him having an affair with both his secretary, Miss Parkyn and Wendy,... See full summary »

Director:

Bob Kellett

Writers:

Michael Pertwee (play), Michael Pertwee

Stars:

Brian Rix, Leslie Phillips, Joan Sims

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Rix	...	Barry Ovis
Leslie Phillips	...	Sir William Mainwaring-Brown - Minister
Joan Sims	...	Birdie aka Lady 'Birdie' Mainwaring-Brown
Joanna Lumley	...	Miss Parkyn
Derek Royle	...	Potts
Peter Bland	...	Inspector Ruff
Myra Frances	...	Jean
Katy Manning	...	Damina
Barrie Gosney	...	Police sergeant
Diane Langton	...	Angie
Nicola Rowley	...	Donna
Arnold Diamond	...	Priest
Derek Griffiths	...	Johnny
Peter Greenwell	...	1st Party guest
Corbet Woodall	...	Newsreader

Storyline

Based on the hit play. A British Government Minister puts forward a bill to battle filth in the UK but that doesn't stop him having an affair with both his secretary, Miss Parkyn and Wendy, the wife of a high-up reporter. Opponents to the bill - mainly some hippy girls, lead by Johnny, kidnap the Minister's best friend and co-founder of the bill, Barry Ovis just as he was getting married to his fiancee, Joan. Barry escapes, just before the police raid the hippies hiding place - to claim that Ovis was in a orgy and get the bill defeated - and dashes back to his and Joan's flat followed by Inspector Ruff, who is investigating the kidnap and Damina, one of the hippies. Meanwhile, the Minister is also trying to use the flat to carry on his affairs with both Wendy and Miss Parkyn. The Minister, Barry & Joan tries to keep the truth from Ruft, Wilfred Potts, an old and honest MP, Birdie, the Minister's wife and stop the hippies, and this causes no end of trouble.

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Plot Keywords:

orgy | female nudity | hippie | hypocrisy | politician | 

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Taglines:

Drop everything and see the cheekiest comedy of the year

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

1973 (UK)

Also Known As:

Kuinka ministeri kaapataan

Filming Locations:

Cadogan Gardens, Chelsea, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Comocroft

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Joanna Lumley, who also appeared in the stage version, describes the filming as having to be done in 'a basement off Fleet Street, more horrific than The Exorcist it was!'

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Quotes

Insp. Ruff: Take me to a cup of coffe.
Police sergeant: Right Sir. If you don't mind my saying so, sir, Your flies are undone.

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Connections

References Come Dancing (1949)

User Reviews

Classic Farce

Nobody really makes this type of film anymore, and the film world is a lot poorer for it in my opinion. Certainly we could do worse as a nation to make more comedy like this than to made endless "Lock, Stock..." gangster clones. Basically, it's a film version of a typical stage farce, with everything you'd expect bar the local vicar. I'll admit it's not everyone's cup of tea but suspend your disbelief.

It does sag in places (!) as the lie-upon-lie builds up, but what many people don't seem to notice is the slick interplay between the leads, the funny dialogue, and Leslie Phillips in full "well he-llo" mode. There is also the advantage of a great supporting cast, of whom Joan Sims typically shines in a thankless "nagging wife" role. Her advice to someone getting married "pray... watch..." is delivered superbly.

It's the type of thing that would never trouble an Oscar jury, but if some of the recent winners are anything to go by (hello Monsters Ball, Cold Mountain....), this can only be in its favour.

Basically, this is a fun film that you can see time and time again. You can't say that for a lot of films. Thrillers get less thrilling when you know whodunnit, for example.