The Night We Dropped a Clanger
The Night We Dropped a Clanger is a 1959 black and white British comedy film directed by Darcy Conyers and starring Brian Rix, Cecil Parker, William Hartnell and Leslie Phillips.
| The Night We Dropped a Clanger | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) UK theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Darcy Conyers |
| Written by | John Chapman |
| Produced by | David Henley Sydney Box |
| Starring | Brian RIx Cecil Parker William Hartnell Leslie Phillips |
| Cinematography | Ernest Steward |
| Edited by | Sidney Stone |
| Music by | Edwin Braden |
| Distributed by | Rank Organisation |
Release date |
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Running time | 86 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
The title comes from the British expression "to drop a clanger", meaning to say something inappropriate or revealing. It links in the title to the secondary meaning of "clang", the noise of a metallic object hitting the floor. It was released as Make Mine a Double in the United States.
A British secret agent is sent on a secret operation in occupied France during the Second World War but a diversionary tactic turns into a farcical tale of mistaken identity.[1][2]
Andrew Sachs made his film debut in a minor role.
Plot
When mysterious, unpiloted, midget aircraft start landing in southern England during the Second World War, secret agent Wing Commander Blenkinsop, VC and bar, is chosen for a top-secret mission to occupied France to investigate. Meanwhile, as a diversionary tactic to deceive the Germans, his exact look-alike, Aircraftsman [sic] Atwood (both parts are played by Rix), is reluctantly recruited to go to North Africa. However, through a farcical mixup, Blenkinsop finds himself in Africa and Atwood ends up in France.
By far more luck than judgement, Atwood returns to England in one of the buzz bombs and, with everyone (including Blenkinsop's girlfriend Lulu) believing he is Blenkinsop, he becomes a national hero, while the real Blenkinsop desperately tries to regain his identity and his life. Atwood continues the impersonation, but when he meets Lulu's mother, and his future mother-in-law, he begins to have doubts. Accidentally meeting Blenkinsop, they swap back to their real identities.[3]
Cast
- Brian Rix – Aircraftman Arthur Atwood/Wing Commander Blenkinsop
- Cecil Parker – Air Vice-Marshal Sir Bertram Bukpasser
- William Hartnell – Warrant Officer Bright
- Leslie Phillips – Squadron Leader Thomas
- Leo Franklyn – Belling
- John Welsh – Squadron Leader Grant
- Toby Perkins – Flight Lieutenant Spendal
- Liz Fraser – Lulu
- Charles Cameron – General Gimble
- Vera Pearce – Madame Grilby
- Julian D'Albie – Air Marshal Carruthers
- Sarah Branch – WAAF Hawkins
- Irene Handl – Mrs. Billingsgate
- Andrew Sachs – Briggs
- Hattie Jacques – Ada
- Arthur Brough – Admiral Bewdly
- Ray Cooney – Corporal
- Oliver Johnston – Air Commodore Turner
- Merilyn Roberts – 1st WAAF
- Sheila Mercier – 2nd WAAF
- Christine Russell – 3rd WAAF
- Larry Noble – Farmer
- John Langham – Ricky
- Rowland Bartrop – Smythe
- Julie Mendez – Dancer
- Patrick Cargill – Fritz
Critical reception
SKY Movies wrote, "a typically rickety British farce of the late Fifties, a time when the Carry On's were gaining their first foothold. This is a sort of Carry On Flying: Brian Rix has a field day in a dual role and there's even William Hartnell, giving his comic all as yet another barking NCO. Broad, unpolished, lowbrow fun."[4]
References
- "The Night We Dropped a Clanger (1959) – IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
- "BFI | Film & TV Database | The NIGHT WE DROPPED A CLANGER (1959)". Ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. 16 April 2009. Archived from the original on 15 January 2009. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
- "Make Mine a Double (1959) – Trailers, Reviews, Synopsis, Showtimes and Cast". AllMovie. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
- "The Night We Dropped a Clanger – Sky Movies HD". Skymovies.sky.com. 24 May 2002. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
External links
The Night We Dropped a Clanger at IMDb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8JWUHNswIU Full movie on YouTube.