''The Night We Dropped a Clanger'' is a 1959 black and white British

comedy Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...

film directed by Darcy Conyers and starring Brian Rix, Cecil Parker,

William Hartnell William Henry Hartnell (8 January 1908 – 23 April 1975) was an English actor. He is best remembered for his portrayal of the first incarnation of the Doctor in '' Doctor Who'' from 1963 to 1966. In film, Hartnell notably appeared in '' Bri ...

and

Leslie Phillips Leslie Samuel Phillips (20 April 1924 – 7 November 2022) was an English actor, director, producer and author. He achieved prominence in the 1950s, playing smooth, upper-class comic roles utilising his "Ding dong" and "Hello" catchphrases. ...

;

Andrew Sachs Andreas Siegfried Sachs (7 April 1930 – 23 November 2016), known professionally as Andrew Sachs, was a German-born British actor and writer. He made his name on British television and found his greatest fame for his portrayal of the comical Sp ...

made his screen debut. The title comes from the British expression "to drop a clanger", meaning to say something inappropriate or revealing. It links in the title to the secondary meaning of "clang", the noise of a metallic object hitting the floor. A British secret agent is sent on a secret operation in

occupied France The Military Administration in France (german: Militärverwaltung in Frankreich; french: Occupation de la France par l'Allemagne) was an interim occupation authority established by Nazi Germany during World War II to administer the occupied zo ...

during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposi ...

but a diversionary tactic turns into a farcical tale of mistaken identity. It was released as ''Make Mine a Double'' in the United States. Although only a minor part, it was the film debut for

Plot

When mysterious, unpiloted, midget aircraft start landing in southern England during the Second World War, secret agent Wing Commander Blenkinsop, VC and bar, is chosen for a top-secret mission to occupied France to investigate. Meanwhile, as a diversionary tactic to deceive the Germans, his exact look-alike, Aircraftsman 'sic''Atwood (both parts are played by Rix), is reluctantly recruited to go to North Africa. However, through a farcical mixup, Blenkinsop finds himself in Africa and Atwood ends up in France. By far more luck than judgement, Atwood returns to England in one of the buzz bombs and, with everyone (including Blenkinsop's girlfriend) believing he is Blenkinsop, he continues the impersonation and becomes a national hero, while the real Blenkinsop desperately tries to regain his identity and his life.

Cast

* Brian Rix – Aircraftman Arthur Atwood/Wing Commander Blenkinsop * Cecil Parker – Air Vice-Marshal Sir Bertram Bukpasser *

– Warrant Officer Bright *

– Squadron Leader Thomas * Leo Franklyn – Belling * John Welsh – Squadron Leader Grant * Toby Perkins – Flight Lieutenant Spendal *

Liz Fraser Elizabeth Joan Winch (14 August 1930 – 6 September 2018), known professionally as Liz Fraser, was a British film actress, best known for being cast in provocative comedy roles. Early life Fraser was born in Southwark, London. Her year of bi ...

– Lulu * Charles Cameron – General Gimble *

Vera Pearce Annie Vera Pearce (27 May 1895 – 18 January 1966) was an Australian stage and film actress. Her lengthy career was carried out in both her home country and in England. Biography Born in Broken Hill (New South Wales), Pearce spent much of h ...

– Madame Grilby * Julian D'Albie – Air Marshal Carruthers * Sarah Branch – WAAF Hawkins *

Irene Handl Irene Handl (27 December 1901 – 29 November 1987) was a British author and character actress who appeared in more than 100 British films. Life Irene Handl was born in Maida Vale, London, the younger of two daughters of an Austria-born father ...

– Mrs. Billingsgate *

– Briggs *

Hattie Jacques Hattie Jacques (; born Josephine Edwina Jaques; 7 February 1922 – 6 October 1980) was an English comedy actress of stage, radio and screen. She is best known as a regular of the ''Carry On'' films, where she typically played strict, no-non ...

– Ada *

Arthur Brough Arthur Brough (born Frederick Arthur Baker; 26 February 1905 – 28 May 1978) was a British actor and theatre founder, producer and director best known for portraying the character of bumbling senior menswear salesman Ernest Grainger on the BBC ...

– Admiral Bewdly * Ray Cooney – Corporal * Oliver Johnston – Air Commodore Turner * Merilyn Roberts – 1st WAAF * Sheila Mercier – 2nd WAAF * Christine Russell – 3rd WAAF * Larry Noble – Farmer * John Langham – Ricky * Rowland Bartrop – Smythe * Julie Mendez – Dancer *

Patrick Cargill Patrick Cargill (3 June 191823 May 1996) was an English actor remembered for his lead role in the British television sitcom ''Father, Dear Father''. Career Cargill was born to middle-class parents living in Bexhill-on-Sea, Sussex. After educati ...

– Fritz

Critical reception

'' SKY Movies'' wrote, "a typically rickety British farce of the late Fifties, a time when the ''Carry On'''s were gaining their first foothold. This is a sort of ''Carry On Flying'': Brian Rix has a field day in a dual role and there's even William Hartnell, giving his comic all as yet another barking NCO. Broad, unpolished, lowbrow fun."

References

External links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8JWUHNswIU Full movie on YouTube. 1959 films 1959 comedy films British war comedy films British World War II films Films set in Libya Films set in London Films set in France Films shot at British National Studios 1950s English-language films 1950s British films {{1950s-UK-comedy-film-stub