Jack Raymond (director)
Network On Air (studio)
Cert U (certificate)
87min (length)
01 June 2015 (released)
23 June 2015
Now what can we say about Little Big Shot? This so-called comedy from 1952 should have been buried in 1953, that is what we can say.
The writer of this little epic was John Paddy Carstairs who was the brother of Hammer Horror’s Anthony Nelson Keys – what a difference! Carstairs was best known as a director and for his association with the man who was arguably the greatest British comedian of all time: Norman Wisdom. And if people these days are not overtly interested in Wisdom it is hardly likely that they would be interested in this film’s star… Ronald Shiner (yet another grotesque). According to Wikipedia, Shiner was the most popular local male star in 1952 – whatever that meant. Indeed, he was a very busy actor dishing out about ten films a year, not to mention his theatre and music hall work.
Shiner is ‘Harry Harkwood’ (Awkward… get it?), the son of a recently deceased top criminal. Of course he is as daft as a brush – although he wants to be a master criminal just like daddy before him. With his lack of business acumen and his kindly nature this “ain’t gonna ‘appen is it?” in his defence it must be said that he does possess the ‘gift of the garb’ in abundance and worms his way into getting a job in a big posh house owned by the wealthy ‘Mrs. Maddox’ (larger than life stage actress Marie Lohr, who gives an enchanting performance). Harkwood has been sent by a gang of crooks to inspect the premises. Of course, all goes wrong and things just get sillier and sillier.
Mrs. Maddox’ girl guides group, or little red Indians as they appear to be, vaguely resemble the pests of St. Trinians and the film culminates in a mega slapstick cake fight between these little monsters and the gang of crooks. This is virtually English seaside postcard humour. If this kind of thing appeals then Little Big Shot is one for you. This is an epoch that no longer has any relevance but in its defence it has not the malevolence of On The Buses and perhaps is a little more subtle than a Carry On Film. Plaudits should go to Derek Farr’s ‘Inspector Wilson’ who looks simply ridiculous rather like this dated load of old codswallop.
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
* Original Theatrical Trailer
* Image Gallery
* Original Promotional Material PDF