| It's a Grand Life | |
| Director: | John E. Blakeley |
| Producer: | John E. Blakeley |
| Starring: | Frank Randle Diana Dors |
| Cinematography: | Ernest Palmer |
| Editing: | Dorothy Stimson |
| Distributor: | Mancunian Films |
| Runtime: | 102 minutes |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
It's a Grand Life, also known as As You Were, is a 1953 British film described in its opening titles as a comedy burlesque. It was directed by John E. Blakeley and stars Frank Randle and Diana Dors.[1]
The film contains a series of sketches set in army life in the Essex Regiment in the post-World War II era, mostly involving Randle as an accident-prone private. Randle, who made his final film appearance in It's a Grand Life, had previously starred in a series of World War II army comedies: Somewhere in England (1940), Somewhere in Camp (1942), Somewhere on Leave (1942), Somewhere in Civvies (1943) and Somewhere in Politics (1948).
One of the subplots involves a glamorous Women's Royal Army Corps corporal who is pursued by her company sergeant major. Other set pieces include a wrestling match with Jack Pye and a drill sequence.
It's a Grand Life was one of several low-budget comedies featuring Dors in the era.[2] She was paid £1,000 for five weeks work, the fee that she had been paid for on Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary? (1953). Dors later said that she "loathed the script and everything about it" but that her manager and husband Dennis Hamilton insisted that she take the role.[3] Dors also claimed that Randle's drinking and temperament had delayed production.[4]
The film was shot in Manchester.
The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The slight story is no more than a peg on which to hang a series of music-hall sketches, which will be recognised by those who are familiar with Randle's stage work. They have a certain rustic humour, but most of the gags and business have worn rather thin with the years, though they may still be appreciated by less sophisticated audiences. Winifred Attwell makes a guest appearance."[5]
In the Radio Times, Tony Sloman called the film a "quaint and cheap army caper," and wrote of Randle, "If you've never seen him, give this a chance you might find he'll tickle your fancy. But if you have an aversion to music-hall stars on celluloid, give up, for Randle has neither the wit of George Formby nor the warmth of Gracie Fields, and by the time this movie was made he was looking tired and rather grubby."[6]
Note (6 Jan 2024): References [3] and [4] to "Dors" are incomplete. It is possible they may refer to Dors' 1960 autobiography Swingin' Dors (WDL books).