''Somewhere in Politics'' is a 1949 British

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by John E. Blakeley and starring

Frank Randle Frank Randle (born Arthur Hughes, also known as Arthur McEvoy or Arthur Twist; 30 January 1901 – 7 July 1957) was an English comedian. A contemporary of fellow Lancastrians George Formby and Gracie Fields, he was regarded as more subv ...

Tessie O'Shea Teresa Mary "Tessie" O'Shea (13 March 1913 – 21 April 1995) was a Wales, Welsh entertainer and actress. Early life O'Shea was born in Plantagenet Street in Riverside, Cardiff to newspaper wholesaler James Peter O'Shea, who had been a soldie ...

and

Josef Locke Joseph McLaughlin (23 March 1917 – 15 October 1999), known professionally as Josef Locke, was an Irish tenor. He was successful in the United Kingdom and Ireland in the 1940s and 1950s. Background Born in Derry, Ireland, he was the son of a ...

. It was the fifth film in the ''Somewhere'' series of films featuring Randle followed by ''

It's a Grand Life ''It's a Grand Life'' is a 1953 British comedy film starring Frank Randle and Diana Dors. Music hall comedian Frank Randle who had previously starred in a film series of World War II army comedies (''Somewhere in England'' (1940), ''Somewhere i ...

'' (1953). According to the

British Film Institute The British Film Institute (BFI) is a film and television charitable organisation which promotes and preserves film-making and television in the United Kingdom. The BFI uses funds provided by the National Lottery to encourage film production, ...

(BFI), only a print of an "18-minute short from the film, entitled ''Full House''", is known to exist.

Plot

Joe Smart (Frank Randle) is a radio repairman who enters the political arena competing in an upcoming election against his own boss. Joe wins the election, but encounters loads of trouble in the process.

Cast

- Joe Smart *

- Daisy Smart *

- Cllr. Willoughby * Sally Barnes - Marjorie Willoughby * Syd Harrison - Tony Parker * Max Harrison - Arthur Parker * Bunty Meadows - Martha Parker *

Jimmy Clitheroe James Robinson Clitheroe (24 December 1921 – 6 June 1973) was an English comic entertainer. He is best remembered for his long-running BBC Radio programme, ''The Clitheroe Kid'' (1956–72). Early years Jimmy Clitheroe was born in Clitheroe, ...

- Sonny *

Sonny Burke Joseph Francis "Sonny" Burke (March 22, 1914 – May 31, 1980) was an American musical arranger, composer, Big Band leader and producer. In 1937, he graduated from Duke University, where he had formed and led the jazz big band known as the Duke ...

- Reggie Smart * Anthony Oakley - Howard *

Bernard Graham Bernard Graham (27 October 1922 – 14 June 1992) was a New Zealand cricketer. He played first-class cricket for Auckland and Northern Districts between 1953 and 1957. Graham opened the batting with James Everest for Northern Districts i ...

- Bank Manager * Effi McIntosh - Mrs. Jones * Kay Compston - Lady Hazelmere * Fred Simister - Detective Sergeant * George Little - Mayor

Critical reception

In contemporary reviews, ''

The Monthly Film Bulletin ''The Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 to April 1991, when it merged with ''Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those with a ...

'' wrote: "The provinces will probably enjoy this knockabout comedy, though many Londoners will fail to see the point". ''To-Day's Cinema'' concluded: "In addition to the untiring inventiveness of the star in grimace and tumble, the escapades are served by the clowning of Tessie as Randle's electioneering wife - she also heaves her 'two-ton' around in abandoned dance - by the singing of sentimental ditty by Josef Locke, and by the lunacies of Syd and Max in song and sally. It is all put over with pace and vigour, and will doubtless register heartily with the legion of Randle fans."

References

Bibliography

* Richards, Jeffrey. ''Films and British national identity: from Dickens to Dad's Army''. Manchester University Press, 1997.

External links

*
BFI Most Wanted entry
with extensive notes 1949 films 1948 comedy films 1948 films Films directed by John E. Blakeley British comedy films Lost British films British black-and-white films 1949 comedy films Films shot in Greater Manchester 1940s English-language films 1940s British films {{1940s-UK-comedy-film-stub