Idol On Parade [DVD]

I notice that many of the more recent reviews don't discuss the DVD quality, so let's put that right. This SONY Pictures release of 2013, is a beautiful Cinemascope transfer, Ratio 2.35:1, clear B/W picture and good sound. Subtitles and a trailer are the extras. The film itself is of course a real period piece and should be viewed as such, and as such it is great fun, no small thanks to Newley himself who manages to make "Jeep" a likeable person, when it could easily have gone the other way. Another plus is Anne Aubrey, a beautiful lady who could act and who I think the British film industry undervalued. And of course we have the cream of British support/character actors...Lionel Jeffries, David Lodge, Sid Jamea, Harry Fowler etc and William Bendix who has a good go at an "Oirish" accent as the RSM. Some songs that still sound pretty good, some comedy and romance and you have a nice trip down memory Lane.

I quite enjoyed this film but it certainly is dated now. The songs are still great that Antony Newley sings. One thing I hadn't noticed the first time I watched it, actually when it first came out, was that William Bendix played the part of a sergeant-major which he did in a very amusing way. The only thing wrong was that he was in charge of the squad of newly-arrived recruits, drilling and training them. Why is that wrong? It is because when I was a soldier, sergeants did the drilling and training of recruits. Normally each company, which is around 120 men (these days women as well), has only one senior NCO who is a company sergeant-major; he would not have been able to deal with that number of recruits. The regiment has one regimental sergeant-major. There can be a number of battalions in a regiment each with a battalion sergeant-major.For readers of the above no pedantry intended. Recollections of one's military life are rather like one's schooldays; they do improve with age.

For some unexplained reason, somewhere over the Atlantic Idle became Idol and the American banker, William Bendix, became the star ahead of Anthony Newley, Lionel Jeffries and the ubiquitous David Lodge. Reflecting the situation of poor Terry Dene as a pop singer who fell foul of National Service - but with a happier outcome - this movie features Newley's debut as both singer and composer - although he had served in most of the armed services several times during his earlier career - and has long been on my wish list. It does not disappoint, reflecting the times and providing amusing roles for Sid James, Harry Fowler, Bernie Winters and many other familiar faces. Now if only someone would release Hieronymous..... BTW those wishing to see Bill Bendix in full song and dance mode can enjoy A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court [not the remake].

Whilst working as a projectionist in my local cinema in the late 1950s, this film was one the last we showed before the cinema unfortunately closed down. I have been trying to get a copy of this film for some time because it is one of my favourites and although it is in black and white, the stars especially Anthony Newley are great in it. It is a pity that Newley did not go on to make more movies rather than staged musicals.

I see this at the Pavilion Cinema in Mare Street Hackney at the very start of my teensloved it then great songs, easy going Film based on a 1959 Pop Star called up in theArmy,it’s Dated a bit but it’s still got a nostalgic different Worldy Charm about it

I remember going to see this film at the cinema when I was in my teens, loved the music. Watching again brings back the memories as to just how poor the miming was in the film and just how far film musicals have come since those days. Having said that, I still enjoyed watching again, and of course we had some of the cream of British acting in the film. Well worth a watch!!

Very old movie but it was very good picture quality .It took me back to when i was much younger,its still fun.

Great fun film of its day, typically British humour. Caught the imagination and launched Tony Newley.I was taken to see this film by my aunt, who swooned over Tony Newley. I loved the songs from the film and still remember (most of) the words. It's taken so long fo this film to emerge on DVD and I am so glad it has. Copy for me and one for my aunt, now 88. Reckon she'll swoon one more time!