I Only Arsked! (1958)

A group of misfit soldiers are desperately trying to fiddle themselves some leave. Instead they wrangle a posting to the British Middle-East protectorate of Darawa. Their frustrations and ... See full summary »

Director:

Montgomery Tully

Writers:

Sid Colin, Jack Davies

Stars:

Bernard Bresslaw, Michael Medwin, Alfie Bass

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bernard Bresslaw	...	Popeye Popplewell
Michael Medwin	...	Cpl. Springer
Alfie Bass	...	Excused Boots Bisley
Geoffrey Sumner	...	Major Upshott-Bagley
Charles Hawtrey	...	Pvt. 'Professor' Hatchett
Norman Rossington	...	Cupcake Cook
David Lodge	...	Sergeant Potty Chambers
Arthur Howard	...	Sir Redvers
Marne Maitland	...	King Fazim
Michael Bentine	...	Fred
Francis Matthews	...	Mahmoud
Michael Ripper	...	Azim
Wolfe Morris	...	Salaman
Ewan MacDuff	...	Ferrers
Marie Devereux	...	Harem Girl

Storyline

A group of misfit soldiers are desperately trying to fiddle themselves some leave. Instead they wrangle a posting to the British Middle-East protectorate of Darawa. Their frustrations and disappointment at landing one of the harshest territories is compensated when they discover a secret passage to the King's harem.

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Plot Keywords:

based on tv series | sequel | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1958 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Bray Studios, Down Place, Oakley Green, Berkshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Film Productions,Hammer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Spun-off from The Army Game (1957)

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Soundtracks

Boots Song
(uncredited)
Music by Benjamin Frankel
Lyrics by Alfie Bass

User Reviews

early TV spin off doesn't get many laughs

This is a spin off from The Army Game one of the first comedy successes of ITV,not BBC as per the lines notes.It stars the TV cast with one exception.On TV William Hartnell played Sergeant Major Bullymore.Here his part is played by David Lodge.When the film was made young men were still having to do national service in the army.Maybe this accounts for its success on TV and of course the notable success of Carry On Sergeant,which co starred William Hartnell.Whereas the Carry On went for observed humour and physical comedy this just goes for physical comedy.It laughs at rather than with Bernard Bresslaw's character.It was his character and that of Alfie Bass which were the real stars of the show.However unlike the Carry On this feels very dated.The laughs are laboured and hard to come by.Little wonder that the carry on is still shown on TV whilst this is long forgotten.