| King Arthur Was a Gentleman | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Marcel Varnel |
| Written by | Marriott Edgar (writer) Val Guest (writer) |
| Produced by | Edward Black (producer) |
| Starring | Arthur Askey Evelyn Dall Peter Graves Ronald Shiner |
| Cinematography | Arthur Crabtree |
| Edited by | R. E. Dearing |
| Music by | Bob Busby |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | General Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
King Arthur Was a Gentleman is a 1942 Britishblack-and-whitecomedymusical film directed byMarcel Varnel and starringArthur Askey,Evelyn Dall,Peter Graves andRonald Shiner.[1] It was written byMarriott Edgar andVal Guest, and was produced byEdward Black and Maurice Ostrer forGainsborough Pictures.[2]
In theSecond World War, the undersized Arthur joins the army to prove himself to his girlfriend Susan, who is in the same unit as him. Here, his idealistic notions aboutKing Arthur prompt his messmates to trick him into believing that a sword they have dug up is the fabledExcalibur. Armed with this talisman, Arthur strides forth to deal with theWehrmacht.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Arthur Askey's admirers will appreciateKing Arthur was a Gentleman to the full, for, apart from a few impersonations by Jack Train, and some outbursts of amusing backchat from Max Bacon, he carries the comic side of the film single-handed for the whole of its 99 minutes. That part of the film which describes Arthur's trials in camp is undoubtedly the funniest, since with the change of scene 'out East' the plot wanders and the end comes somewhat as an anti-climax. Evelyn Dall as Arthur's girlfriend is notable chiefly for her crooning ability, and both she and Anne Shelton take advantage of the opportunities which Manning Sherwin's excellent musical score gives them."[3]
InBritish Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Some funnyy scens and good songs, but overlong and missing opportunities to indulge in fantasy."[4]
Leslie Halliwell said: "Not-too-successful attempt to turn a music hall comedian into a figure of Chaplinesque pathos."[5]
TheRadio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "This is as likeable as any flag-waving comedy, with Arthur Askey as the cheery Tommy who is convinced he has found King Arthur's sword Excalibur and is invincible. This could have done with fewer songs and more gags."[6]