Back-Room Boy (1942)
7/10
Give up women and the next thing you know you're surrounded by them.
8 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A prank played by the wise-cracking Arthur Askey not only causes him to lose his position, but his fiancee (Joyce Howard) as well. He's transfered to a remote Scottish lighthouse to work on repairing it and soon has more women around than he can handle. Precocious pre-teen Vera Frances and a group of women (including Googie Withers) stranded by a boating accident are soon seeking lodging inside the lighthouse which creates all sorts of amusing comical situations. There's also a bit of a mystery when the young Frances all of a sudden disappears, indicating that there's someone there unaccounted for and unwelcome.

This features quite a nifty set, featuring a steamy lagoon complete with caves, and the lighthouse set is amazingly detailed as well. Askey is at his best here, having had quite a few successes around this time ("The Ghost Train" and "The Band Waggon", extra g part of the title), and these are certainly his best. Great supporting characters and a fast pace makes this a must, and as a Yank, I wasn't overwhelmed with British cultural references that left me confused.
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