- Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
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Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! Directed by Bob Kellett Produced by Andrew Mitchell Written by Michael Pertwee Starring Brian Rix
Leslie Phillips
Joan Sims
Joanna Lumley
Derek Royle
Myra Frances
Katy Manning
Peter Bland
Anita Graham
Derek Griffiths
Barrie GosneyMusic by Peter Greenwell Distributed by The Rank Organisation Release date(s) 1 April 1973 Running time 97 min. Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! is a 1973 British film based on the popular "Whitehall Farce" written by Michael Pertwee, who also wrote the screenplay.
Contents
Plot summary
Sir William Mainwaring-Brown, a British Government Minister, puts forward a bill to battle filth (permissive behaviour) in the UK. However, that doesn't stop him having an affair with both Miss Parkyn (his secretary) and Wendy (the wife of a high-up reporter). Opponents to the bill - mainly some hippies, led by Johnny - kidnap the Minister's best friend and co-founder of the bill, Barry Ovis just as he is on the way to the church to marry his fiancee, Jean.
Later and following a tip off by Johnny, the police raid the hippies' flat. The intention is to discredit Barry Ovis by making it appear that he was involved in an orgy and therefore, remove any credibility that the Law and Order Bill might have had. Thankfully (for Barry) he escapes before the police discover him and dashes back to Sir William's flat followed by Damina, one of the hippies.
Meanwhile, the Minister is also trying to use the flat to carry on his affairs with both Wendy and Miss Parkyn. The Minister, Barry & Jean try to keep the truth from Inspector Ruff, Wilfred Potts (an ancient MP, who is staying temporarily in the adjoining flat) and Birdie (the Minister's wife). Not only that, but they have to try to deal with the hippies who do their utmost to discredit Mainwaring-Brown and Ovis. Naturally this causes no end of trouble.
Cast
- Brian Rix - Barry Ovis
- Leslie Phillips - Sir William Mainwaring-Brown
- Joan Sims - Lady 'Birdie' Mainwaring-Brown
- Joanna Lumley - Giselle Parkyn
- Derek Royle - Wilfred Potts
- Myra Frances - Jean
- Katy Manning - Damina
- Peter Bland - Inspector Ruff
- Anita Graham - Wendy
- Barrie Gosney - Police Sergeant
- Derek Griffiths - Johnny
- Corbet Woodall - TV newsreader
- David Battley - Country Yokel
- Gabrielle Daye - Elderly lady
- Diane Langton - Angie
- Aubrey Woods - TV chairman
Television
The film was spun off into a sitcom entitled 'Men of Affairs' for ITV in 1973. Leslie Phillips was unavailable to reprise his role as William Mainwaring-Brown, so the part went to Warren Mitchell, who had found lasting fame as Alf Garnett.
See also
External links
Categories:- Films directed by Bob Kellett
- 1973 films
- British comedy films
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