Sunday 22 November 2009

Double Bunk (C.M. Pennington-Richards, 1961)

Janette Scott as Peggy

"DOUBLE BUNK" just about covers it at the Guild Theatre, where this extremely anemic little British comedy about a rickety houseboat honeymoon went on yesterday. And on and on, it might be added—bumping up and down the Thames, across to France (by accident) and back. This Showcorporation release, written and directed by C. M. Pennington-Richards, with Ian Carmichael and Janette Scott in the leads, is recommended for undemanding folks who make it to a movie comedy about once every fifteen years. Admirers of English comic wizards like Alec Guinness, Peter Sellers and Terry-Thomas are warned.
The picture is about as friendly, simple-minded and familiar as can be. Take the ramshackle house in "George Washington Slept Here," float it, add the same internal problems (with a "beastly engine" instead of medieval plumbing), plus a mean neighbor (this one has a swanky yacht).
Mr. Carmichael, as the skipper-spouse, has been mercifully toned down, for a change, and Miss Scott is a sensible peach of a bride. As two cronies who go along for the ride, Sidney James is leathery, and Liz Fraser fills a bikini admirably. The menace is Dennis—Dennis Price.

DOUBLE BUNK, written and directed by C. M. Pennington-Richards produced by George H. Brown; released by Showcorporation. At the Guild Theatre, Fiftieth Street west of Fifth Avenue. Running time: ninety-two minutes.
Jack . . . . . Ian Carmichael
Peggy . . . . . Janette Scott
Sid . . . . . Sidney James
Sandra . . . . . Liz Fraser
Watson . . . . . Dennis Price
Harper . . . . . Reginald Beckwith

HOWARD THOMPSON New York Times 17 November 1961

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