The Captain's Table

I had high hopes for this film as it features a whole host of very able, experienced and talented supporting characters such as Richard Wattis, John le Mesurier, Reginald Beckwith, Bill Kerr, Donald Sinden, Joan Sims etc etc! Yet, it falls flat on its face and becomes a very long yawn! The major problem is mainly the dialogue, which isn't at all funny, and a storyline about a ex tramp steamer captain being given charge of a passenger liner ship, played by John Gregson, who because he is totally ill equipped to play the cheerful, 'chummy' and 'Mr Nice Guy' to an eclectic mix of passengers, finds himself in a constant state of embarrassment, discomfort and confusion. Gregson is no Rex Harrison, who might have carried off the role with some aplomb, instead Gregson struggles with the 'humorous scenes' where due to his lack of experience in the job, he commits a series of painful social gaffes which in itself becomes the entire humour thread of the film. Beckwith puts in a good performance as the captain's valet with Richard Wattis, always a joy to see, playing the suave and urbane ship's purser. Yet, despite a good supporting cast, the film from the point of humour, never moves out of second gear.