Filmmaker Arthur Crudd interviews an ex-postal worker who believes his wife has been abducted by aliens.Filmmaker Arthur Crudd interviews an ex-postal worker who believes his wife has been abducted by aliens.Filmmaker Arthur Crudd interviews an ex-postal worker who believes his wife has been abducted by aliens.
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Though 'Where's Bingo Betty?' is undoubtedly a short of low (and I mean extremely low) budget charms, it's one that is also hilarious, surreal, and sufficiently enjoyable...
Where's Bingo Betty?
Following the disappearance of local bingo enthusiast Betty Harrison (Jane Drury), documentary filmmaker Arthur Crudd (Keith Wright) decides to answer the question "Where is Bingo Betty?" In his investigation, he interviews Betty's husband Bill (a perfectly cast Dennis Drury), an ex-postal worker who seems to be a bit unhinged since his wife's unexpected departure. Bill believes that Betty was abducted by aliens whilst they were out walking in the countryside. But what has happened to Betty? Was she really taken away on an alien spaceship? Is she really on planet Mars? Or did she do what others in the neighbourhood have claimed she has done, and ran off to Sheffield with Tommy Scruffleby, the local bingo caller? Whatever the answer, Arthur is determined to find out.
While 'Where's Bingo Betty' was made in 1999 (in about two weeks), perhaps because of its "you either love it or you don't" brand of Northern humour, the film wasn't really seen by anybody until three years later, when it fell into the arms of Channel Four (who, sorry to say, can't be applauded for burying it in the middle of the night). That's a great shame, as even though 'Bingo Betty' is undoubtedly a short of low (and I mean extremely low) budget charms, it's one that is also hilarious, surreal, and sufficiently enjoyable. While it may not leave a lasting mark on the viewer, it's perfect entertainment for its running time (just under ten minutes), which isn't a second too long either.
On first inspection of 'Bingo Betty', it might seem that writer, director, editor and actor Keith Wright may have intended for the film more than his budget was willing to give him. For starters, the corner-cutting Wright has opted to shoot 'Betty' in dull sepia tones, on film that hasn't exactly been through the wars, but seems a little worse for wear. But Wright takes his modest amount of money, and uses it to his advantage, crafting a neat homage to (equally) low budget B-movies of the 50's and 60's. Wright has about £50 to work with, but the main difference between him, and say, Ed Wood, is that he actually knows it. I doubt any other filmmaker in any other mindset could have taken a cheap visual realisation of the alien spacecraft that looks exactly like well, is - a Yorkshire pudding tin, and made it absolutely side-splittingly funny.
It's a pity that 'Bingo Betty' seems to be over as quickly as it began, but not before it beams down a small killer of a twist that tops off the film perfectly. I must admit, while I respond to Northern humour (and enjoy "Phoenix Nights" immensely) relatively well, I've always felt as if it's one big joke that I don't entirely get. But 'Where's Bingo Betty?' is probably one of the more accessible manifestations of this type of comedy that I've encountered, and a big well done to Keith Wright for making such a joy of a short on a shoestring. If you ever get the chance, go on and join Arthur Crudd on his quest to provide the answer to the titular question. Just don't expect anything demanding, and simply let yourself be taken along for the ride.
~ 8/10 ~
Following the disappearance of local bingo enthusiast Betty Harrison (Jane Drury), documentary filmmaker Arthur Crudd (Keith Wright) decides to answer the question "Where is Bingo Betty?" In his investigation, he interviews Betty's husband Bill (a perfectly cast Dennis Drury), an ex-postal worker who seems to be a bit unhinged since his wife's unexpected departure. Bill believes that Betty was abducted by aliens whilst they were out walking in the countryside. But what has happened to Betty? Was she really taken away on an alien spaceship? Is she really on planet Mars? Or did she do what others in the neighbourhood have claimed she has done, and ran off to Sheffield with Tommy Scruffleby, the local bingo caller? Whatever the answer, Arthur is determined to find out.
While 'Where's Bingo Betty' was made in 1999 (in about two weeks), perhaps because of its "you either love it or you don't" brand of Northern humour, the film wasn't really seen by anybody until three years later, when it fell into the arms of Channel Four (who, sorry to say, can't be applauded for burying it in the middle of the night). That's a great shame, as even though 'Bingo Betty' is undoubtedly a short of low (and I mean extremely low) budget charms, it's one that is also hilarious, surreal, and sufficiently enjoyable. While it may not leave a lasting mark on the viewer, it's perfect entertainment for its running time (just under ten minutes), which isn't a second too long either.
On first inspection of 'Bingo Betty', it might seem that writer, director, editor and actor Keith Wright may have intended for the film more than his budget was willing to give him. For starters, the corner-cutting Wright has opted to shoot 'Betty' in dull sepia tones, on film that hasn't exactly been through the wars, but seems a little worse for wear. But Wright takes his modest amount of money, and uses it to his advantage, crafting a neat homage to (equally) low budget B-movies of the 50's and 60's. Wright has about £50 to work with, but the main difference between him, and say, Ed Wood, is that he actually knows it. I doubt any other filmmaker in any other mindset could have taken a cheap visual realisation of the alien spacecraft that looks exactly like well, is - a Yorkshire pudding tin, and made it absolutely side-splittingly funny.
It's a pity that 'Bingo Betty' seems to be over as quickly as it began, but not before it beams down a small killer of a twist that tops off the film perfectly. I must admit, while I respond to Northern humour (and enjoy "Phoenix Nights" immensely) relatively well, I've always felt as if it's one big joke that I don't entirely get. But 'Where's Bingo Betty?' is probably one of the more accessible manifestations of this type of comedy that I've encountered, and a big well done to Keith Wright for making such a joy of a short on a shoestring. If you ever get the chance, go on and join Arthur Crudd on his quest to provide the answer to the titular question. Just don't expect anything demanding, and simply let yourself be taken along for the ride.
~ 8/10 ~
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- Extraordinary_Machine
- Apr 27, 2005
Details
- Runtime10 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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