Laugh It Off

This film was shown last night at the NFT as part of the current Tommy Trinder season.It is a boot camp comedy of the type that became common in the War.This film was made only 7 weeks after the declaration of the war on September 3rd 1939.However apart from an extract from Chamberlains speech there are no topical references and gags.Within a few months most comedies would have constant references to the Nazis and Hitler. In this film Trinder is in a Blackpool show when he is called up.Enroute to camp he meets his Sergeant Major in civvies and has a bust up with him.When he arrives at camp all the usual rookie escapades ensue. Trinder is asked to put on a show and this comprises the bulk of the later part of the film, The problem with Trinder is that like other stand up comics of his era he finds it very difficult to adapt to the demands of the screen.So not even an astute director such as John Baxter can make him in any way appealing.His delivery is pretty monotonous and it has to be said that he really at 70 years on is not nearly as funny as he thinks he is.The show at the end is not that great and in fact the whole film is redolent of an end of pier show.More a period piece than an entertainment.