Two years after introducing the bumbling incompetent headmaster Dr Twist to the world of talking pictures, Will Hay brings him back again in a new story with a better script, better production values and a better director, Marcel Varnel. Marcel Varnel proved to be the ideal director for Will Hay - his presence on this movie makes it stand far above the earlier BOYS WILL BE BOYS feature.
Monsieur Varnel allows the camera to follow the action rather than the action be confined to where the camera and indeed microphones are. Like Leo McCarey was doing in America, Marcel Varnel also had a reputation for encouraging improvisation on set. This technique might have made some actors uncomfortable but it the perfect vessel to capture the raw, natural comedy and facial expressions of Will Hay. This film, now with the experience of three previous pictures at Gainsborough under its belt and a director on the same wavelength as Mr Hay and the writers gives this film a much more professional than when we first met Dr Twist back in 1935 and more importantly, it's funnier.
This was made just a couple of months before they made Will Hay's best film, OH MR PORTER and so although this is must for any fans of silly 1930s English comedies, one cannot help comparing it to the superior OH MR PORTER. One the plus side however this does feature lovely Lilli Palmer - although she's hard to recognise in the blonde wig.
Monsieur Varnel allows the camera to follow the action rather than the action be confined to where the camera and indeed microphones are. Like Leo McCarey was doing in America, Marcel Varnel also had a reputation for encouraging improvisation on set. This technique might have made some actors uncomfortable but it the perfect vessel to capture the raw, natural comedy and facial expressions of Will Hay. This film, now with the experience of three previous pictures at Gainsborough under its belt and a director on the same wavelength as Mr Hay and the writers gives this film a much more professional than when we first met Dr Twist back in 1935 and more importantly, it's funnier.
This was made just a couple of months before they made Will Hay's best film, OH MR PORTER and so although this is must for any fans of silly 1930s English comedies, one cannot help comparing it to the superior OH MR PORTER. One the plus side however this does feature lovely Lilli Palmer - although she's hard to recognise in the blonde wig.