Stage struck newcomer to a theatrical boarding house is 'framed' with the
murder of an acrobat by the murdered man's ex-partner, who is the real
killer. The realistic murder scene earned the film it's 'A' certificate,
nevertheless it lacks the usual mobility of a Formby vehicle.
Brendan Ryan
Leslie Halliwell's Film Guide
Murder in a theatrical boarding house, with suspicion pointing to our
George. One of the star's last vehicles, not too bad at all, but without the
sweet smell of success.
I think that Alec Guiness borrowed George's outfit for his film "The Man In
The White Suite", it definitely looks better on George though and proves
once again that Formby had a special photographic quality that added to
his mystique. The kids in 1945 would have suffered severe
disappointment if they had turned up at the pictures minus Mum or Dad
as they would have been refused admission. The 'A' certificate granted to
this film by the powers-that-be meant that no one under the age 16 would
be allowed in unless accompanied by an adult. Ludicrous really when you
think that the kids had all just come through World War II. The film has a
few sinister moments for a change and personally, I feel that none of the
Columbia films come anywhere near to the ATP productions. The songs
here though are as ever, all top notch and are all still firm favourites in the
Society today..
Peter Pollard
The plot races along and the laughs come thick and fast, in George's
penultimate picture. After a decade of experiences in hit movies,
George's confidence and slickness make this one of his finest
performances on film; in particular the songs "The Daring Young Man"
and "I'd Like A Dream Like That" and George's scene with the psychiatrist
stand out as superb moments.
George is well supported by an excellent script and a strong cast of
genuine variety artists who 'play themselves'.
Unfortunately, the release of this film coincided with a temporary lapse in
George's popularity. Having made Britain laugh throughout the war years,
George was now out of favour (as was Churchill) as people tried to put
the war years behind them and look to the future. the film's 'A' certificate
also stifled its success somewhat and it received second billing at the
cinema, despite being one of George's best Columbia pictures
Andy Eastwood
I DIDN'T DO IT
Columbia
Produced by: Marcel Varnel & Ben Henry
Writers: Howard Irving-Young, Stephen Black, Norman Lee, Peter
Fraser, Michael Vaughan
Photography: Roy Fogwell
Director: Marcel Varnel
Trade Show: June 12 1945; Released on: July 23 1945
Runtime 93 minutes
CAST:
George Formby, Billy Caryll, Hilda Mundy, Gaston Palmer,
Jack Daly, Carl Jaffe, Marjorie Brown, Wally Patch, Ian Fleming, The
Boswell Twins.
SONGS:
She's Got Two Of Everything (Cunningham/Towers)
I'd Like A Dream Like That (Formby/Cliffe)
The Daring Young Man (Formby/Cliffe)