While Nero Fiddled (1944)

A pair of Jolly Jack Tars on shore leave take a Wren (lady sailor) to Stonehenge and get caught in a time warp finishing up in ancient Rome.

Director:

Harry Watt

Writers:

Angus MacPhail (original screenplay) (as Angus Macphail), Diana Morgan (original screenplay)

Stars:

Tommy Trinder, Frances Day, Sonnie Hale

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Tommy Trinder	...	Tommy Taylor
Frances Day	...	Poppaea
Sonnie Hale	...	The Professor
Francis L. Sullivan	...	Nero
Diana Decker	...	Lydia
Elisabeth Welch	...	Nora
Mary Clare	...	Volumnia
Ernest Milton	...	Titus
Frederick Piper	...	Auctioneer
Robert Wyndham	...	Lionkeeper
Russell Thorndike	...	High Priest
Danny Green	...	Lictor
James Robertson Justice	...	Centurion of the 8th Legion

Storyline

Two sailors and a Wren (the UK version of an American W.A.V.E.) are struck by lightning in Stonehenge and transported back to the first century and the court of the Roman emperor. There, they run afoul of Nero, who is about to have them beheaded when they remember and predict events in the history of the Roman Empire and are appointed court prophets. Empress Poppaca plies her feminine wiles on one of the sailor, Tommy, and this further complicates an already-delicate situation. Lots of songs, comedy and a cross-dressing masquerade.

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Plot Keywords:

stonehenge | roman empire | husband wife relationship | male female relationship | world war two | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Fantasy | Music | Sci-Fi

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of James Robertson Justice.

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Goofs

When struck by lightning at Stonehenge, they arrived in Rome in sailors' uniforms. One year later when struck by lightning in Rome, they arrived at Stonehenge back in uniform; they should have been dressed as Romans.

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Quotes

Nero: Delicious debauchery!

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Connections

Follows Three Cockeyed Sailors (1940)

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Soundtracks

Rome, Sweet Rome
(uncredited)
Music by Mischa Spoliansky
Lyrics by Diana Morgan

User Reviews

Sweet F.A.

Tommy (Tommy Trinder), Lydia (Diana Decker) and The Professor (Sonnie Hale) are transported back in time to the Roman Empire under the rule of Emperor Nero (Francis L Sullivan) via a lightning flash at Stonehenge. We follow their plight as Tommy becomes Nero's soothsayer while Lydia and the Professor become part of Nero's harem. Can our gang make it back to the present...?

Unfortunately, this film is just tedious nonsense. Francis L Sullivan puts in an amusing portrayal of Nero, Frances Day as "Poppaea" has the glamour role and Trinder and Hale are nice enough in their roles, but the film just gets boring. There are way too many instantly forgettable songs crammed in and Decker's performance makes her come across as unpleasant and moody. I laughed at the beginning when Trinder said "Blimey, another government housing scheme gone wrong" on arriving at Stonehenge, and again when the entertainment list was being read to Nero and we could look forward to "Lisa the strip-teaser from Pisa". But that's pretty much it on the humour front apart from Sullivan's portrayal of Nero.

At the beginning we see Trinder and The Professor riding on a bike singing "Sweet Fanny Adams" - very appropriate for this film.

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

While Nero Fiddled

Filming Locations:

Ealing Studios, Ealing, London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1