Idol on Parade

"I've waited so long." Exactly as I waited so long to see this movie again after forming an intense crush on Anthony Newley's love interest, portrayed by the sublimely beautiful Anne Aubrey. I first saw 'Idol on Parade' around 1960 as a teenage schoolboy in the cinema of a small South Yorkshire village where I was staying with some relatives. I blissfully recall the bitter-sweet pain of what seemed to be my first true love. Several years ago I came across the DVD on Amazon and immediately bought it. Viewing it sharply brought back the feelings I held for Miss Aubrey, but I must confess other than that, I did not enjoy it nearly as much. With the years that have elapsed, I'd like to think that my viewing tastes are much more sophisticated, so I found the plot somewhat shallow and contrived. However, it was a pleasant trip down Memory Lane, but as I gave away the DVD, it's an excursion I won't be repeating.

I watched this film and it was okay the main lead is a singer who is either drafted into the army or joins as part of national service as was the thing that happen in those days and he is doing basic training for the army but some folks out in the world want him to be a singer and smuggle him out so that he can continue singing funny in parts i like the bit where he is singing in the officers mess and the sgt major shout your idol then he continues on singing then the captain shouts your idol then he continues on singing then the sgt major starts dancing to the song he is singing that was funny

It's most appropriate that the exteriors in this excruciating comedy with music are plainly shot in very cold and bleak weather, since that seems to sum up the drab pre-Beatles era that spawned this abomination. William Bendix is bizarrely cast as a rather soppy Irish-accented British army sergeant, while it's hard to believe that husky-voiced C.O.'s daughter Anne Aubrey would find Anthony Newley so adorable (although a succession of English roses were supposedly equally charmed by Norman Wisdom throughout the same period). As usual the supporting cast of Britons (including a couple of very fleeting appearances by Susan Hampshire) maintains the interest and one keeps forgetting that Sid James is in it until he briefly pops up again; like most agents!

Britain seemed to push out a ton of these army comedies in the late 1950s, perhaps due to the success of THE ARMY GAME on television. IDOL ON PARADE is one of the weaker ones I've watched, one which strives hard to build a head of steam around the presence of real-life pop star Anthony Newley playing a, well, pop star who finds himself conscripted into the army. The usual battles with tight authority figures ensues, along with plenty of boisterous behaviour and the like. There are some good actors in reliable support - David Lodge, Lionel Jeffries, and Sid James - but the script feels more than rushed and the whole thing has a middling feel.

Dene was a rock n roll star of the fifties.He was called up for National Service.However he only lasted 2 months before being discharged for mental health reasons.This comic slant on the situation is still quite fun,even though Newley is about 10 years to old for the role.William Bendix was one of my favourite actors,though good in this part was about 10 years too old.I liked Lionel Jefferies too but here he goes just a bit too far over the top.

this was a great film. it was filmed in my fathers barracks and him and his mates from the welsh guards appear as extras on the parade square, naafi and cook house scenes. I would love a copy of this film to show his grand kids....that would be so cool.... can anyone help? i was about 8yrs old when i saw it and my mother made us sit down and watch it...i thought anthony newley was my dad!!!! he was better looking than my father!! The film has great songs and a really funny scene where the men have to shout out commands on parade. jeep jackson lost his voice but was clearly the loudest. Anthony newley plays the role brilliantly and was my mothers pop idol!!