An aptly named Ealing Comedy, the very first one of them in fact, this is a fun, energetic children's adventure film set in immediately postwar London. You can tell straight away from the unconventional, irreverent title sequence that something with-it this way comes, something fresh, new and different from before and so it proves. There's an ingenious story, which helps, as a teenage Harry Fowler and his gang of mates, one sparky girl amongst them, uncover a plot to transport stolen goods by a criminal gang whose big boss uses a secret code craftily contained in an adapted popular kids' comic strip. By the way, said comic is called "The Trump" and I suppose I should resist stooping to make a flippant remark about another cartoon character of that name spreading deceit, oops, it looks likes I just did!
Anyway, back to this movie which has lots to commend it besides its witty script. The bomb-damaged locations of London are used to good effect, the young actors, once you get over the unusual sight of the boys running about in suits, shirts and ties, whilst occasionally betraying their inexperience, bring spirit and energy to proceedings plus there's a nice turn by Alastair Sim as the precious old writer whose adventure strips are being hijacked for criminal gain, in fact I wish he had more screen time than that afforded to him. There's also the rare site of a younger Jack Warner than in his Dixon Of Dock Green days playing a cackling baddie.
While the film has something of the feel of a Children's Film Foundation production about it, there's nothing wrong with that in my book and its gentle mix of youth, humour and excitement makes it a diverting entertainment with added historical value for its glimpses of a great city and its people getting back on their feet after the ravages of war.
Anyway, back to this movie which has lots to commend it besides its witty script. The bomb-damaged locations of London are used to good effect, the young actors, once you get over the unusual sight of the boys running about in suits, shirts and ties, whilst occasionally betraying their inexperience, bring spirit and energy to proceedings plus there's a nice turn by Alastair Sim as the precious old writer whose adventure strips are being hijacked for criminal gain, in fact I wish he had more screen time than that afforded to him. There's also the rare site of a younger Jack Warner than in his Dixon Of Dock Green days playing a cackling baddie.
While the film has something of the feel of a Children's Film Foundation production about it, there's nothing wrong with that in my book and its gentle mix of youth, humour and excitement makes it a diverting entertainment with added historical value for its glimpses of a great city and its people getting back on their feet after the ravages of war.