Aldwych Farces: Volume 3

Network Distributing will release Aldwych Farces: Volume 3 on DVD tomorrow as part of its ‘The British Film’ collection. This edition will include an image gallery and the original theatrical material PDFs.

Preserving a long-standing tradition of typically British comedy and humour this collection includes two film adaptations of the theatre box-office records Fighting Stock (1935) and Foreign Affairs (1935).

Both starring Tom Walls, Ralph Lynn and Robertson Hare these productions showcase the comedic aspect of buffoons and grotesque characters such as silly-ass aristocrats, battleaxe wives and put-upon husbands while making of nimble wordplay their major hallmark.

Fighting Stock is set in Sussex and follows the vicissitudes and misunderstandings of Brigadier-General Sir Donald Rowley whose favourite passion is fishing. With other characters including his neighbour, the neighbour’s wife and daughter and his niece the comedy develops as a comedy of errors, satirizing male-female relationships and the aristocracy’s funniest traits.

Foreign Affaires takes the parody of aristocracy even further through its protagonist. Captain Archibald Gore is an ageing aristocrat with several weaknesses, among which wine, women and horses. Following his impoverishment due to such habits he schemes to secure his finances by any means. The comedy is set in London and it perfectly captures the vibe of the British high society in the 1930s. Once again, the recurrence of the comedy of errors proves successful in delivering different comedy sketches, which come together into the main narrative.

Aldwych Farces: Volume 3 will definitely be a favourite of the nostalgic audiences as well as an important preservation of British comedy. Both stories convey a feeling of familiarity and ease, making them perfect to enjoy for the whole family.