Bell Bottom George

Plot

George Blake (Formby) is a waiter with ambitions to join the Navy, although he's been rejected several times, because of a weak heart. But during an air raid he's mistaken for a sailor because he's wearing the clothes of a navy friend who's borrowed his to go to a Lock-in at a pub. George is spotted by military police who think he is AWOL and escort him back to Naval barracks. He impresses the sailors there with his songs and ukulele playing, and is recruited to play at the "Spick and Span" troop radio concert in London. Somehow, along the way, he stumbles on a group of Nazi spies using a taxidermists shop as a front, and foils their plot to blow up a British submarine, "The Firefly". He also impresses and wins the heart of Pat (Anne Firth), the Wren he's fallen for.

Sample gag

George is reduced to his underwear by the bad guys and complains he cannot walk around the streets like that as he'll be mistaken for Gandhi.

Cast

Box office

According to trade papers, the film was a success at the British box office in 1944.

Critical reception

Halliwell's Film Guide called it a "formula star comedy, too long and too familiar"; TV Guide said, "an overlong launching for an unseaworthy production"; while The Spinning Image said, "there are a few laughs to be had."