A rock'n'roll idol is drafted into the wrong regiment.A rock'n'roll idol is drafted into the wrong regiment.A rock'n'roll idol is drafted into the wrong regiment.
Gordon Boyd
- Cpl. Nerking
- (as Gordon Needham)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn one scene, Anthony Newley and his pals go the cinema where a movie called The Cockleshell Heroes (1955) is playing. This is an inside joke; it was one of Newley's and David Lodge's earlier films.
- GoofsThee convertible that Sid James is driving changes from a Ford Consul to a Zephyr and back to a Consul during the escape from the theatre.
- Quotes
Burton Bassett: You like her, don't you?
Joseph Jackson: Yeah.
Burton Bassett: You want to know her name.
Joseph Jackson: Yeah.
Burton Bassett: Take her out.
Joseph Jackson: Yeah.
Burton Bassett: Dancing.
Joseph Jackson: Yeah.
Burton Bassett: Well you ain't. You're going to clean those flipping windows.
Joseph Jackson: Alright, mate.
Burton Bassett: SIR!
- ConnectionsFeatures The Cockleshell Heroes (1955)
- SoundtracksIdle Rock-A-Boogie
by Anthony Newley and Joe Henderson
Arranged by Bill Shepherd
Performed by Anthony Newley (uncredited)
Featured review
Spoof of 'pop star is drafted into the Army'
Former child star Anthony Newley found his career took quite a different path once he was cast as 'Jeep Jackson' in this fun pop musical.
'Jeep' is a rising star who is drafted into the Army and spends the rest of the time trying to avoid being an 'Idol on Parade' (the original UK title was 'Idle on Parade' but either suits the subject matter perfectly). His sergeant is played by American import William Bendix (as Irish), while another 'Private Jackson' is played by comedy stooge Bernie Winters (who appeared a lot with Newley in other films and TV shows).
The best bits of the film though are the songs, the title itself, 'I've Waited So Long', and 'Saturday Night'. These make the film a feel-good romp, especially so for Newley fans - he shines in this without over-dominating the screen as he would in future years. Following 'Idol on Parade' Newley would appear in 'Jazzboat', 'The Small World of Sammy Lee', 'The Strange World of Gurney Slade' (for TV), and 'Sweet November'.
Following his pop career success in the 60s Newley moved into writing musicals and eventually appearing in cabaret shows. In many ways he became a sell-out, joke version of his earlier self, but if you want to see Newley in embryo, with evidence of how talented he was, see 'Gurney Slade' and see 'Idol on Parade'. Wonderful stuff.
'Jeep' is a rising star who is drafted into the Army and spends the rest of the time trying to avoid being an 'Idol on Parade' (the original UK title was 'Idle on Parade' but either suits the subject matter perfectly). His sergeant is played by American import William Bendix (as Irish), while another 'Private Jackson' is played by comedy stooge Bernie Winters (who appeared a lot with Newley in other films and TV shows).
The best bits of the film though are the songs, the title itself, 'I've Waited So Long', and 'Saturday Night'. These make the film a feel-good romp, especially so for Newley fans - he shines in this without over-dominating the screen as he would in future years. Following 'Idol on Parade' Newley would appear in 'Jazzboat', 'The Small World of Sammy Lee', 'The Strange World of Gurney Slade' (for TV), and 'Sweet November'.
Following his pop career success in the 60s Newley moved into writing musicals and eventually appearing in cabaret shows. In many ways he became a sell-out, joke version of his earlier self, but if you want to see Newley in embryo, with evidence of how talented he was, see 'Gurney Slade' and see 'Idol on Parade'. Wonderful stuff.
helpful•91
- didi-5
- Oct 15, 2011
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Idle on Parade
- Filming locations
- Shepperton Studios, Shepperton, Surrey, England, UK(Studio, uncredited)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 28 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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