I've seen quite a few of Will Hay's films. After all, they are pretty funny AND you can download a bunch of them for free if you follow the links on IMDb. Among the eight or ten I have so far seen, "Windbag the Sailor" might just be the best--or darn close.
The film begins with Hay regaling the patron's of his sister and brother-in-law's pub with stories of his seafaring days. The problem is that it's all bunk--he has never been to sea and he has no idea how to captain a ship. But, the stories are exciting and soon he gets quite the reputation. A lady who owns a shipping company hears of his exploits and asks Hay to give a lecture to a youth group. He so impresses everyone that she then asks Hay to be the captain of one of her merchant ships! Well, Hay couldn't possibly accept and comes up with a plan to back out at the last minute. However, his plan backfires and he soon finds himself at sea--commanding a ship filled with mutinous sailors. His only apparent allies are two guys very familiar to Hay films--his frequent supporting cast of Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt. Marriott and Moffatt are great in these roles and I noticed that I liked Hay's films when the pair were included.
I gave the film an 8 and could have even possibly given it a 9. It was very cleverly written and the script worked great with Hay's style. Funny and quite enjoyable.
By the way, it's kind of funny that the leader of the mutineers is called 'Maryatt'--which sounds exactly like Marriott. Also, I have no idea why, but this film was directed by William 'One Shot' Beaudine--an American director known for his VERY rapid productions and his reluctance to ever re-shoot scenes (even when they could have used it). What he was doing directing this British film is beyond me, as he was very busy in the States.
The film begins with Hay regaling the patron's of his sister and brother-in-law's pub with stories of his seafaring days. The problem is that it's all bunk--he has never been to sea and he has no idea how to captain a ship. But, the stories are exciting and soon he gets quite the reputation. A lady who owns a shipping company hears of his exploits and asks Hay to give a lecture to a youth group. He so impresses everyone that she then asks Hay to be the captain of one of her merchant ships! Well, Hay couldn't possibly accept and comes up with a plan to back out at the last minute. However, his plan backfires and he soon finds himself at sea--commanding a ship filled with mutinous sailors. His only apparent allies are two guys very familiar to Hay films--his frequent supporting cast of Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt. Marriott and Moffatt are great in these roles and I noticed that I liked Hay's films when the pair were included.
I gave the film an 8 and could have even possibly given it a 9. It was very cleverly written and the script worked great with Hay's style. Funny and quite enjoyable.
By the way, it's kind of funny that the leader of the mutineers is called 'Maryatt'--which sounds exactly like Marriott. Also, I have no idea why, but this film was directed by William 'One Shot' Beaudine--an American director known for his VERY rapid productions and his reluctance to ever re-shoot scenes (even when they could have used it). What he was doing directing this British film is beyond me, as he was very busy in the States.