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Idle on Parade (1959)

Director: John Gilling

Average user rating
7 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

An interesting curiosity, this is a kind of folksy British parody of Elvis Presley's controversial drafting into the US Army: Newley plays a prototype rock singer who is called up, with all the ensuing complications. In retrospect it all seems very quaint, but it was the film that launched Newley (up to that point a straight actor) on a singing career; and the rock songs that Newley sings ('Idle Rock-a-boogie', 'I've Waited So Long', etc) were great hits in their time.

Author: DP 0000-00-00 00:00:00

Time Out Film Guide

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User reviews of this film

  • Baz said...
    Posted on Oct 18 2009 13:58 This was a great film at the time and certainly deserves a showing on dvd. What do we have to do to to make it happen.
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  • ANTHONY said...
    Posted on Aug 01 2008 15:37 PLEASE ,PLEASE PUT "IDLE ON PARADE" on D V D , ITS A FILM I HAVE SEEN HAS A YOUNG LAD IT WAS FAB.
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  • TEX WAITE said...
    Posted on Mar 08 2008 13:18 I never saw this film when it came out, and I've been regretting it ever since. PLEASE someone, put this parody of early Brit rock & National Service onto dvd. Tony Newley not only launches his music carrer, it does it with a NUMBER ONE (I've Waited So Long).
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  • Tony Ward said...
    Posted on Nov 07 2007 08:29 Such sweet memeories to see this film again (2007) after being taken to see it as a young boy. Yes, it's corny and typical of the pop-to-film genre, but it made me laugh and singalong then and it made me laugh and singalong now. Anthony Newley had a presence and was ably supported by a whole host of well known characters. The film marks its time well.
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  • Mike OHara said...
    Posted on Oct 04 2007 08:36 This film is a neglected gem.Although intended as a spoof it showed that Newley had a great voice in addition to being a fine actor,unlike many of the pop stars who were churning out second rate films.The cast are uniformly(!) great with American star William Bendix showing a great comedic flair and a convincing Irish accent.Lionel Jeffries gives great support and the pace never flags.Why this film has been so neglected is a mystery,particularly when the unfunny \\\"Genevieve\\\" is regarded as a classic. If you can get your hands on this one do....it\\\'s great.
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  • Frog Fry said...
    Posted on Aug 23 2007 10:23 A simple B/W film, with a thin story line, originally meant to star Tommy Steele. Thanks to the genius of Tony Newley, and the blinderingly funny Lionel Jefferies, the film reached into the humour of the times.
    National Sevice personel will recognised their own billets, and the bull that went with it.
    To those in charge I say "Let's be 'avin ya! Get this on DVD, at the double".. "You there you 'orrible litttle man, pull your finger owt" I WANT TO SEE "IDLE ON PARADE"................or I'll 'ave your guts for garters!!
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  • lynn bulless said...
    Posted on Jul 13 2007 16:41 I thought this was a great film at the time and would love to see it again.
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Cast & crew

Director: John Gilling

Producer: Harold Huth

Cast: Anthony Newley, William Bendix, Anne Aubrey, Lionel Jeffries, David Lodge, Sidney James full cast

Genre(s): Comedy

Duration: 92 mins


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