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 | |
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Arthur Howard | ... | Sir Redvers |
Marne Maitland | ... | King Fazim | |
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Michael Bentine | ... | Fred |
Francis Matthews | ... | Prince Mahmoud | |
Michael Ripper | ... | Azim | |
Wolfe Morris | ... | Salaman | |
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Ewan MacDuff | ... | Ferrers |
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Marie Devereux | ... | Harem Girl |
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. Written by Anonymous
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.