Formby on film
John Willie (George) arrives at the Labour Exchange to collect his dole, but he is told that since he doesn't seem to have made any serious effort to get work, he is "off the dole". However, his uncle reluctantly entrusts him with the management of his detective agency. There follows a confused plot ending with the capture of the 'baddies'. The whole is interspersed with songs from George of course, a children's choir, and Dan Young is allowed to sing "The Nearer The Bone, The Sweeter The Meat". Great efforts are made to introduce the ukulele naturally into the plot. In one scene George asks his mother, "Did you have the broken string replaced on my ukulele?" which, of course, is a cue for a song. Brendan Ryan George's second film for John E. Blakeley met with at least the same success as the previous one with queue's stretching right around the cinemas, certainly in the North of England. George plays a character totally different to the one he would adopt for the rest of his film career. John Willie is far more worldly wise and cynical than the George we all know and love in all the films to follow. Something's don't change though and here the songs are as strong as ever. "Little Ukulele" is one of George's best. Two other big favourites, "I Promised to Be Home By Nine-O-Clock" and "I'm Going To Stick To My Mother" were never recorded to disc but both songs are still very popular at the Formby Society Conventions. This was the last film in which Beryl played a 'on screen' role although she would never be far from George's side on set throughout his forthcoming career. Peter Pollard OFF THE DOLE The historical interest of "Off the Dole" outweighs the true value of the work.  It was quickly produced to cash-in on the huge success of "Boots! Boots!", and although conceived in the same vein, this string of quite disparate sketches seems to lack even the scrap of cohesiveness to be found in its forerunner.  Despite its crudeness, however, "Off the Dole" is a fascinating period piece with many enjoyable moments (the songs for example) and of course it's wonderful to see Beryl's performance as "Miss Seymour"! Andy Eastwood Leslie Halliwell's Film Guide: Artless comedy shot on a minuscule budget. It helped to make George Formby a star.
Off The Dole
OFF THE DOLE Produced by: John E. Blakeley Writers: Arthur Mertz and John E. Blakeley Photographer: Sydney Leach Director: Arthur Mertz Trade Show: April 17 1935; Released on: July 1 1935 CAST: George Formby, Beryl Formby, Dan Young, Clifford McLaglan, Wally Patch, James Plant, Tully Comber, Constance Shotter Run time 78 minutes SONGS: With My Little Ukulele In My Hand (Cottrell) If You Don't Want The Goods, Don't Maul 'Em (Cottrell) I Promised To Be Home By Nine-O-Clock (Mertz/Stansbury) I'm Going To Stick To My Mother (Mertz/Stansbury) Isn't Love A Very Funny Thing? (With Beryl) (Mertz) Surely There's No Harm In A Kiss (With Beryl) (Mertz)
formby on film
John Willie (George) arrives at the Labour Exchange to collect his dole, but he is told that since he doesn't seem to have made any serious effort to get work, he is "off the dole". However, his uncle reluctantly entrusts him with the management of his detective agency. There follows a confused plot ending with the capture of the 'baddies'. The whole is interspersed with songs from George of course, a children's choir, and Dan Young is allowed to sing "The Nearer The Bone, The Sweeter The Meat". Great efforts are made to introduce the ukulele naturally into the plot. In one scene George asks his mother, "Did you have the broken string replaced on my ukulele?" which, of course, is a cue for a song. Brendan Ryan George's second film for John E. Blakeley met with at least the same success as the previous one with queue's stretching right around the cinemas, certainly in the North of England. George plays a character totally different to the one he would adopt for the rest of his film career. John Willie is far more worldly wise and cynical than the George we all know and love in all the films to follow. Something's don't change though and here the songs are as strong as ever. "Little Ukulele" is one of George's best. Two other big favourites, "I Promised to Be Home By Nine-O-Clock" and "I'm Going To Stick To My Mother" were never recorded to disc but both songs are still very popular at the Formby Society Conventions. This was the last film in which Beryl played a 'on screen' role although she would never be far from George's side on set throughout his forthcoming career. Peter Pollard OFF THE DOLE The historical interest of "Off the Dole" outweighs the true value of the work.  It was quickly produced to cash-in on the huge success of "Boots! Boots!", and although conceived in the same vein, this string of quite disparate sketches seems to lack even the scrap of cohesiveness to be found in its forerunner.  Despite its crudeness, however, "Off the Dole" is a fascinating period piece with many enjoyable moments (the songs for example) and of course it's wonderful to see Beryl's performance as "Miss Seymour"! Andy Eastwood Leslie Halliwell's Film Guide: Artless comedy shot on a minuscule budget. It helped to make George Formby a star.
Off The Dole
OFF THE DOLE Produced by: John E. Blakeley Writers: Arthur Mertz and John E. Blakeley Photographer: Sydney Leach Director: Arthur Mertz Trade Show: April 17 1935; Released on: July 1 1935 CAST: George Formby, Beryl Formby, Dan Young, Clifford McLaglan, Wally Patch, James Plant, Tully Comber, Constance Shotter Run time 78 minutes SONGS: With My Little Ukulele In My Hand (Cottrell) If You Don't Want The Goods, Don't Maul 'Em (Cottrell) I Promised To Be Home By Nine-O-Clock (Mertz/Stansbury) I'm Going To Stick To My Mother (Mertz/Stansbury) Isn't Love A Very Funny Thing? (With Beryl) (Mertz) Surely There's No Harm In A Kiss (With Beryl) (Mertz)