Off the Dole is a 1935 British film starring George Formby. Formby appeared as John Willie, a stage character originally developed by his father, George Formby, Sr.; Beryl Formby, Formby Jnr's wife, also appeared in the film.
Plot
John Willie has his dole money denied him for moonlighting and not trying to find work. His uncle asks him to take over his detective agency.
Off the Dole cost £3,000 to make, and earned £80,000 at the box office.[1] As with Formy's previous film, Boots! Boots! (1934), the film was in a revue format, and also showed Formby in the role of John Willie; Beryl was his co-star.[2][3] According to Formby's biographer, the cultural historian Jeffrey Richards, the two films "are an invaluable record of the pre-cinematic Formby at work".[4]
