''Just Joe'' is a 1960 British
comedy film
The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...
directed by
Maclean Rogers
Maclean Rogers (13 July 1899 – 4 January 1962) was a British film director and screenwriter.
Selected filmography
Director
* ''The Third Eye (1929 film), The Third Eye'' (1929)
* ''The Mayor's Nest'' (1932)
* ''Up for the Derby'' (1933)
* ...
, and starring
Leslie Randall, Joan Reynolds,
Michael Shepley
Arthur Michael Shepley-Smith (29 September 1907 – 28 September 1961), known professionally as Michael Shepley, was a British actor, appearing in theatre, film and some television between 1929 and 1961.
He was born in Plymouth, Devon. Shepl ...
, and
Anna May Wong
Wong Liu Tsong (January 3, 1905 – February 3, 1961), known professionally as Anna May Wong, was an American actress, considered the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, as well as the first Chinese American actress to gain internat ...
.
The screenplay was by Raymond Drewe based on a story by Donald Bull. The unassuming Joe discovers his heroic side when he becomes involved with spies chasing the secret formula of a new detergent.
Plot
Cast
*
Leslie Randall as Joe
* Joan Reynolds as Sybil
*
Michael Shepley
Arthur Michael Shepley-Smith (29 September 1907 – 28 September 1961), known professionally as Michael Shepley, was a British actor, appearing in theatre, film and some television between 1929 and 1961.
He was born in Plymouth, Devon. Shepl ...
as Fowler
*
Anna May Wong
Wong Liu Tsong (January 3, 1905 – February 3, 1961), known professionally as Anna May Wong, was an American actress, considered the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, as well as the first Chinese American actress to gain internat ...
as Peach Blossom
*
Jon Pertwee
John Devon Roland Pertwee (; 7 July 1919 – 20 May 1996), known professionally as Jon Pertwee, was an English actor. Born into a theatrical family, he became known as a comedy actor, playing Chief Petty Officer Pertwee (and three other roles) in ...
as Prendergast
*
Howard Pays
Howard Pays (11 June 1927 – 12 April 2002) was an English actor who, in partnership with Freddy Vale, started the London-based talent agency CCA.
Early life
Howard Pays was born in West Ham, Essex on 11 June 1927.
Career
His first television ...
as Rodney
*
Martin Wyldeck
Martin Wyldeck (11 January 1914 – 29 April 1988) was an English actor who played a wide range of parts over many years on stage, screen and TV.
He also appeared in the first episode of the TV series ''Fawlty Towers'', as Sir Richard Morris.
Se ...
as Bill
*
Noel Dyson as Myra
*
Bruce Seton
Sir Bruce Lovat Seton, 11th Baronet (29 May 1909 – 28 September 1969) was a British actor and soldier. He is best remembered for his lead role in ''Fabian of the Yard''.
Early life
Bruce Lovat Seton was born in Simla, British India, the yo ...
as Charlie
*
David Sale as Carruthers
*
Betty Huntley-Wright
Betty Huntley-Wright (3 December 1911 – 27 May 1993) was a British actress and vocalist. Daughter of the comic actor Huntley Wright, she had a long career on stage, chiefly in comedy and pantomime, and in film, radio and television. Later she ...
as Miss Appleby
Critical reception
''
The Monthly Film Bulletin
The ''Monthly Film Bulletin'' was a periodical of the British Film Institute published monthly from February 1934 until April 1991, when it merged with '' Sight & Sound''. It reviewed all films on release in the United Kingdom, including those wi ...
'' wrote: "Despite simple and hard-working performances by Joan Reynolds and Leslie Randall, this film remains another lamentable example of the general ineptness of second-feature domestic comedy. The story is soap-opera, the pace slack and the direction lifeless. Michael Shepley and Jon Pertwee overplay their respective roles of peppery employer and zany research chemist in a desperate attempt to win a few laughs. A fight in a detergent laboratory provides a routine slapstick climax."
References
External links
*
1960 films
1960s English-language films
Films directed by Maclean Rogers
1960 comedy films
British comedy films
1960s British films
English-language comedy films
{{1960s-UK-comedy-film-stub