The Festival of Britain seems to be remembered fondly today, but it wasn't always the case. While the festival itself was a great success, it was seen in some quarters as a flamboyant political gesture, showing scant regard for the struggles of the British people facing long hours at work, rationing and ever increasing officialdom. The play arrived in time to capitalise on such sentiments and the 'great plan' thwarted at the last minute by a minor blunder by the ever-correct officials bought a knowing smile. Architects who in their efforts to satisfy the political demand to wave the flag of our great nation had inadvertently set Whitehall on a direct collision course with the very apotheosis of Britishness. As everyone knows, England is not only a nation of shopkeepers, an Englishman's home is his castle and some lines cannot be crossed. The play was a success to begin with and Dandy Nichols and Tom Gill reprise their roles in the film, but, the Festival was short-lived and having been an undoubted success, the driving force behind the play also became more than a little lost. Our sympathy remains with the Lords, but unlike 'Passport to Pimlico' which explores similar themes, this is about an ideal rather than a community fighting officialdom, its about one families sentimental attachment to their home. The denouement, when it comes is very much an anti-climax, and without the contextual basis for the humour, the whole thing flounders. It may be an object lesson for budding comedy writers on what to avoid, but aside from the stellar Dandy Nichols otherwise has little to offer to the viewer.
Review of Mr. Lord Says No
