Clevercell Very disappointing...

Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

alexanderdavies-99382 "Band Waggon" marked the cinema of vaudeville entertainer Arthur Askey and his comedy partner Richard Murdoch. The title of the film is taken from a successful radio comedy from the B.B.C, staring Askey and Murdoch. The plot is absolutely non-existent as this vehicle is merely a way of advertising new talent from "Gainsborough" studios. The whole thing has dated badly and the comedy is outnumbered by those bloody music numbers - with less than successful results! Every time someone begins singing, I immediately fast forward my DVD of "Band Waggon." Moore Marriott makes another appearance as Harbottle but is thoroughly wasted, as is Peter Gawthorne. Both actors were put to FAR better use in Will Hay comedies. The subplot about a group of Nazis hiding out in a supposedly haunted house is both lame and poorly handled. It was only added into the film as an afterthought. The only remotely positive thing I can throw in the film's direction, is that at least Arthur Askey and Richard Murdoch are able to communicate on the same wavelength as each other. In hindsight, they should have stayed together for more films after 1941. A curious museum piece but nothing more.

JohnHowardReid George Formby's nearest rival was small-in-stature but loud-of- voice, Arthur Askey. Askey always introduced himself as "Big-Hearted Arthur" on his radio program. Needless to say that Askey's movie appearances were strongly supported by this hit BBC radio program, "Band Waggon", which was itself turned into this wonderfully daft musical comedy (featuring Jack Hylton's band and a round dozen musical numbers) in 1940. In the West End, the movie "Band Waggon" ran 85 minutes, but it was cut to 80 minutes for general release. ITV claim their DVD is the original 85 minutes version. It's possible, even though the present master negative itself is only 7,163 feet (= 79.5 minutes). TV airings have always used this version. As I say, it's possible ITV managed to get hold of an original 35mm or 16mm print. I'd be pleasantly surprised if this was the case, but frankly I'm not prepared to spend $16 or so to find out, even though the 7,163 feet version definitely belongs on any list of Britain's top musical comedies. In short, "Band Waggon" is a most amusing free-for-all of satire, one-liners, slapstick chases, comic cut-ups and lavish production numbers, all expertly rendered by a gifted cast directed by Marcel Varnel.

Mart Sander Arthur Askey's films must have a lot of sentimental value, but his comedy hasn't aged well. In fact, he's very irritating in most of his films. What makes The Band Waggon interesting, is the only opportunity to see the greatest British dance band leader Jack Hylton and his orchestra in their only screen performance. It's a pity they didn't do more films. The songs aren't great hits, but solid good material. The other thing that makes this film interesting is its fascination with the television. It's one of the very first films, where TV is the leading character. Sure, the process is shown in a fantastic manner which is very far from the reality, but it's great fun to watch the final sequence. The overblown showstopper Melody Maker Man - dozens of performers busting their arses while the only member of the audience fails to utterly notice the goings-on around him - is an often used gimmick, but very funny indeed. Be sure to watch the proper DVD release and not a bootleg copy.

malcolmgsw This is one of the earliest spin offs this time of the 1939 radio programme.The plot such as it is is concocted around of all things a TV broadcast.The original show was a combination of sketches stand up routines and music hall turns,and the film rather adheres to that.I suppose whether or not you like this film will to a certain extent depend on how much you like Arthur Askey.It has to be said that there is an awful lot of him in this film.Probably far too much.His stooge is Richard "Stinker"Murdoch.I have no idea how he got his nickname.There are a lot of musical numbers which are pleasant but fairly undistinguished.Moore Marriot and Pat Kirkwood are in support.This would be one of the last appearances of Jack Hylton before he would take on his entrepreneurial role in the West End.