"Band Waggon" marked the cinema of vaudeville entertainer Arthur Askey and his comedy partner Richard Murdoch. The title of the film is taken from a successful radio comedy from the B.B.C, staring Askey and Murdoch.
The plot is absolutely non-existent as this vehicle is merely a way of advertising new talent from "Gainsborough" studios.
The whole thing has dated badly and the comedy is outnumbered by those bloody music numbers - with less than successful results! Every time someone begins singing, I immediately fast forward my DVD of "Band Waggon."
Moore Marriott makes another appearance as Harbottle but is thoroughly wasted, as is Peter Gawthorne. Both actors were put to FAR better use in Will Hay comedies.
The subplot about a group of Nazis hiding out in a supposedly haunted house is both lame and poorly handled. It was only added into the film as an afterthought.
The only remotely positive thing I can throw in the film's direction, is that at least Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch are able to communicate on the same wavelength as each other. In hindsight, they should have stayed together for more films after 1941.
A curious museum piece but nothing more.
Review of Band Waggon
