The Bargee [DVD]

This much forgotten gem of a film concerns Hemel Pike (Harry H Corbett) who is a canal barge owner and worker and a bit of a casanova ito the bargain! Aided and abetted by his rather slow cousin Ronnie (Ronnie Barker), Hemel has a girl in every port up and down his route along the Grand Union Canal. His problem is that every single one of them is intent on marriage, something he is sworn to avoid. Unfortunately for Hemel, one of his ladies, Christine Turnbull (Julia Foster) falls pregnant and he is finally trapped into marrying her by her over-bearing and very protective father (the always brilliant Hugh Griffith). Not a man to be argued with, (Joe Turnbull is legendary for holding the canal drinking record of 29 pints of mild and brown in a single session), he insists that Hemel does the right thing by his daughter - which only serves to upset all his other conquests!

Galton and Simpson (Corbett's writers from Steptoe & Son) wrote a strong script cleverly combining comedy and drama which allowed Corbett to shine as the obvious star of the film (many agree this is his best film role) and whilst this is undoubtedly his vehicle, there is an extremely strong supporting cast of a plethora of British character actors, in particular Eric Sykes as the totally incompetant mariner and Ronnie Barker as Hemel's cousin who certainly gives Corbett a run for his money with every scene they share together and shows the early signs of the stardom that was to soon follow. Nice cameos from Brian Wilde and Richard Briers too.

The film is beautifully made and benefits greatly from being shot in Technicolor, giving the already nostalgic locations a dream-like veneer. The boats seen in the film are all genuine working barges, filmed with added poigniancy when you remember that the industry was finally killed-off by the extremely harsh winter the year this film was made. Give it a go - perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon - and enjoy being taken back to an altogether different age in this pleasing and gently amusing tongue-in-cheek tribute to those who plied their trade up and down Britian's canals. They certainly don't make them like this any more.

Harry H. Corbett has always been a favourite of mine; he was a fine and talented actor. Alongside Ronnie Barker and Eric Sykes, set on the canals of England, it would be difficult to find a better setting. An excellent supporting cast, a witty and moral story, I was surprised at how pleasing and enjoyable this film turned out to be.

If you want a fun film, with beautiful settings, the feel and romance of "Old" England, this has to be a must watch. I never tire of it, especially the happy ending!

One of the few films of the 1960,s featuring the late Harry H Corbett as the star of the film. This film in particularly i would consider one of his best and although he could never really shake the cockney image of Harold Steptoe it does do him justice. the trip along the canals of England are a quite a memory of times past and also there is the young Ronnie Barker as Harrys side kick who has to cover for his mate and get him out of scrapes with ladies along the way. Also you can see the start of Ronnies career also. Great film fits in well alongside the carry on films with a slight touch of the more serious.
2 great comedy actors sadly missed and a great film to remember them by.