Idol on Parade
Directed byJohn Gilling
Screenplay byJohn Antrobus
Based onnovel Idle on Parade by William Camp
Produced byIrving Allen
Albert R. Broccoli
StarringAnthony Newley
CinematographyTed Moore
Edited byBert Rule
Music byBill Shepherd
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • 24 March 1959 (1959-03-24) (UK)
Running time
88 min.
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Idol on Parade (also known as Idle on Parade) is a 1959 British comedy film directed by John Gilling and starring William Bendix, Anthony Newley, Sid James and Lionel Jeffries.[1] The screenplay was by John Antrobus, based on the 1958 William Camp novel Idle on Parade[2][3] which was inspired by Elvis Presley's conscription into the US Army[citation needed]. It was produced by Irving Allen and Albert R. Broccoli for Warwick Films. Jeep Jackson serves his two years of compulsory National Service in the British military.

Plot

Pop star Jeep Jackson is conscripted into the British army. He tries to continue his recording career while still undergoing training on camp. When a different J. Jackson materialises the paltoon takes the opportunity to post Jeep to the Outer Hebrides to remove his disruptive impact from the camp.

When a group of soldiers go to the cinema in the film, they go to see The Cockleshell Heroes (1955), in which Newley was an actor.

Cast

Production

The original novel, described by The Observer as "very funny",[4] concerned an intellectual in the army, rather than a pop singer.[5]

Filming began on 10 November 1958.[6] It was the first time William Bendix had worked in England.[7]

Music

It was the first time Newley sang in a film. Four of the five songs from the soundtrack made the top 20,[8] with "I've Waited So Long", reaching No. 3 in the UK chart.[9][10] "I got a bigger kick out of being on the hit parade than anything I've ever done," said Newley.[11]

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The theme of a popular performer drafted into the Army strikes a topical note, but it is worked out here along the broadest and most predictable lines. Anthony Newley works hard against trite material, and apart from isolated bright moments the film is simply a waste of good comedy talent."[12]

Variety called it "a straightforward army farce ... pure corn".[13]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Makeshift comedy has good pop songs (notably two by Gerry Laudan and Len Preverman) that helped make Newley a star."[14]

References

  1. ^ "Idol on Parade". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  2. ^ Antrobus, John (2002). Surviving Spike Milligan: A Voyage Through the Mind & Mirth of the Master Goon. London: Robson Books. ISBN 0-246-12275-7. p. 44
  3. ^ McCann, Graham (2006). Spike & Co. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-89809-7.
  4. ^ Sublime and Ridiculous Davenport, John. The Observer 7 September 1958: 17.
  5. ^ New Novels Richardson, Maurice. New Statesman; London Vol. 56, no. 1436, (September 20, 1958): 391.
  6. ^ "Production". Variety. 3 December 1958. p. 18.
  7. ^ Director Permits Discussion Period: Actors Argue 'Philadelphian;' Bendix Cast With British Star Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 12 Nov 1958: C11.
  8. ^ Newley's World Not About to Stop Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 11 June 1967: n14.
  9. ^ "New star rises on British hit front". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 12 August 1959. p. 43 Supplement: Teenagers Weekly. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
  10. ^ "UK singles chart, 5 June 1959".
  11. ^ PERSONAL, PLEASE: Anthony Newley States His Theater Credo PERSONAL, PLEASE Anthony Newley Discusses His Views About Present-Day Theater By JOHN S. WILSON. The New York Times 30 September 1962: X1.
  12. ^ "Idol on Parade". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 26 (300): 59. 1 January 1959 – via ProQuest.
  13. ^ Review of film at Variety
  14. ^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 326. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.

External links

Films directed by John Gilling
Films of Irving Allen
Categories