It's a Grand Life
| It's a Grand Life | |
|---|---|
.jpg) British theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | John E. Blakeley |
| Written by | H.F. Maltby Frank Randle |
| Produced by | John E. Blakeley |
| Starring | Frank Randle Diana Dors |
| Cinematography | Ernest Palmer |
| Edited by | Dorothy Stimson |
| Distributed by | Mancunian Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 102 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
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 in Camp (1942), Somewhere on Leave (1942), Somewhere in Civvies (1943), Somewhere in Politics (1949)) stars as an accident-prone Private in his final film appearance. The film also features the professional wrestler Jack Pye and the popular pianist Winifred Atwell. The role of Pte Pendergast was played by Arthur White, who is the elder brother of the actor Sir David Jason.
Plot
The film is described in its opening titles as a comedy burlesque and is not meant to be derogatory to the army. Rather than having a tight plot, the film is a series of sketches set against army life in the Essex Regiment in the post World War II era mostly involving an old private (Frank Randle). One of the sub plots involves a glamorous Women's Royal Army Corps Corporal being pursued and sexually harassed by her Company Sergeant Major (Michael Brennan). Other set pieces include a wrestling match with Jack Pye and a drill sequence.
Cast
- Frank Randle - Pte. Randle
- Diana Dors - Cpl. Paula Clements
- Dan Young - Pte. Young
- Michael Brennan - Sgt. Maj. O'Reilly
- Jennifer Jayne - Pte. Desmond
- John Blythe - Pte. Philip Green
- Anthony Hulme - Capt. Saunders
- Charles Peters - Pte. Rubenstein
- Arthur White - Pte. Prendergast
- Leslie Gould
- Kevin Peters
- Ian Fleming - Mr. Clements
- Ruth Taylor - Mrs. Clements
- Jack Pye - Himself, Wrestler
- Bill Gernon - Himself, Wrestler
- Cab Cashford - Himself, Wrestler
- Carl Van Wurden - Himself, Wrestler
- Winifred Atwell - Herself, Guest Artiste
- Peter Mullings - Dance Hall Manager (uncredited)
- George Jackson - Jeep Driver (Uncredited)
External links
 | This film article about a 1950s comedy film is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |