source: Black Sheep of Whitehall

Moviecut—Black Sheep of Whitehall

Black Sheep of Whitehall

Will Hay was never as funny again after leaving Gainsborough for Ealing, and with it Graham Moffat & Moore Marriott. This one is a particularly dispiriting affair, with few of a good cast at their best - and it doesn't even have Claude Hulbert! Hay laboriously impersonates six different characters without any attempt to change his voice or body language; while the concluding motor cycle chase set against an attractive rural backdrop initially promises to liven things up, but proves far too confusing and goes on far too long. There are odd moments such as the radio interview with Leslie Mitchell that reduces Mitchell to a perspiring wreck, and John Mills has a couple of funny scenes impersonating an amnesiac in the Psychopathic Ward; but it took until Hay's next (and final) two films to return to something like his old form.

Will Hay was approaching the end of his screen career by 1942, and the quality of his work had suffered after he decided to dispense with the services of Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt. While The Black Sheep of Whitehall has its moments, it never reaches the heights of his earlier work. John Mills provides energetic suppport, but he never seemed comfortable in comic roles, and fails to provide the kind of repartee upon which Hay's brand of humour depended.

Thanks to a recent biography and various fan groups, the comedy genius Will Hay can rightly take his place amongst the greats. By 1942, Hay's career had taken a different direction by the time he joined "Ealing" studios the previous year. "The Black Sheep of Whitehall" is another Second World War propaganda film and contains many funny scenes. Will Hay's comic timing is the same as always - impeccable! He plays another school teacher kind of character who inadvertently becomes embroiled in a plot orchestrated by the Nazis in England. John Mills is once again appearing opposite Hay after the film "Those Were the Days" from 1934. Mills provides excellent support for Hay and they play off each other very naturally. For about the only time I can recall, Will Hay makes an appearance in drag! I won't give away the scene but it has to be seen to be believed. A brisk pace and some good writing compliment the acting. Great fun.

BLACK SHEEP OF WHITEHALL is a timely Will Hay comedy with a darker plot than most; the tale sees Hay and his governmental allies battling against an undercover Nazi agent who's trying his best to derail negotiations between England and South America. Of course, on the face of it this is made up of the usual slapstick and bumbling humour, but that dark undercurrent makes things funnier, if you see what I mean. Hay is on top form - a seasoned professional by this time - but the stand-out is John Mills, displaying a hitherto unseen knack for comedy. Things climax in a hilarious and extended chase scene involving an out-of-control bath chair, which is great fun.

Will hay was like many great comedians,he hated being part of a team.Two other examples being WC Fields in his later years and Tony Hancock.Despite doing his best work at Gainsborough he decided to break with them and join Ealing.As a result none of the 5 films that he starred and co-directed at Ealing are up to the standard of the films that he made with Graham Moffat and Moore Marriott.In this film his straight man is of all people John Mills.Whilst there are some funny moments this film is not consistently funny.Also it has to be said that Hay is starting to look quite old,he only made 2 more features after this before a series of strokes brought an untimely end to his career.

Will Hay was one of the most popular British comedians of the 1930's and early 1940's. He usually played a seedy incompetent trying vainly to exert his authority and prove his expertise to a sceptical world. In this film Hay's character (Professor *Davis*) becomes confused with a truly expert economist (Professor *Davys*). The real professor is kidnapped by spies and Will Hay adopts a series of disguises in his efforts to track down the gang (aided by John Mills). One of the highlights of the film comes when Hay has to deliver the Professor's talk on economics on BBC radio. His attempt to explain the global economy in terms of nuts from Brazil and port from Portugal ("Brazilians will definitely grow more and more nuts!") has to be heard to be believed and reduces the interviewer (played by BBC newsman Leslie Mitchell) to a nervous collapse. Priceless stuff!