'The Rise & Rise Of Michael Rimmer', a witty and highly perceptive British comedy produced by David Frost, was made in 1969, but a change in management at Warner Bros./Seven Arts saw its release delayed by a year, when it regrettably flopped. Among its many achievements was that it accurately predicted a Tory general election win in 1970. The enigmatic 'Michael Rimmer' ( Peter Cook ) is the new time-and-motion man at Fairburn Polls. The staff are scared stiff at his relaxed manner. The freeloading 'Ferret' ( a splendid performance by Arthur Lowe ) is fired, but made to stay on without pay till all the money he owes 'Fairburn' ( Dennis Price ) is recovered. Fairburn Polls expands, along with Rimmer's ambition. He drifts into politics, standing for the safe Tory seat of Budleigh Moor ( a reference to Cook's partner Dudley Moore ).
He helps the Tories get into power not by coming up with exciting new policies ( he does not have a stance on any major political issue and has to rely on charm alone ), but by humiliating the Labour leader on national television. Eventually, he has the British Army stealing Swiss gold and using it to prop up the British economy, and murders Tory Prime Minister 'Tom Hutchison' ( Ronald Fraser ) by pushing him off an oil rig. He becomes Dictator of Britain not by force, but by submitting each major decision to a public vote, which the voters grow tired of.
Rimmer is amoral. He even chooses his wife-to-be - show-jumper 'Pat Cartwright' ( the beautiful Vanessa Howard ) - by opinion poll. Its been said that he was based on David Frost, but I think he could well be 'George Spiggot' from 'Bedazzled', making good on his threat to ruin the world. Cook is fabulous here. From the moment he enters the film to the accompaniment of John Cameron's excellent theme tune, you cannot take off your eyes off him. Rather selflessly, he gives all the really funny lines over to others. Making Rimmer into an overtly comic character would have hurt the film.
And what a supporting cast! John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Dudley Foster, Diana Coupland, Michael Bates, George A. Cooper ( as a thinly disguised Harold Wilson ), Denholm Elliott, Harold Pinter ( as T. V. interviewer 'Steven Hench' ), even a Ronnie Corbett cameo.
Director Kevin Billington co-wrote the script along with Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Peter Cook. It is full of sharp digs at the worlds of advertising, market research, public relations and politics. The newly-elected Tory Government decides to hold a 'crisis' meeting on the state of the economy - a lavish, open-air banquet in the grounds of a palatial country house! Rimmer reminds the P. M. of his promise to cut income tax and increase pensions, only to be told: "nobody expects us to do it! We normally say we are horrified, and blame it on the last lot!". The Enoch Powell affair is made fun of too; a retiring Tory M. P. ( Roland Culver ) makes a racially inflammatory speech so that the leader can sack him and so look good in the eyes of voters!
Funniest moment - Rimmer catching John Cleese's character practising ball-room dancing in his coffee break!
The film may have unquestionably dated ( Valerie Leon's man-hungry 'Tanya' seems to have wandered out of a 'Carry On' picture ), but many of its points are still valid. I personally regard it as one of the best British comedies ever made. Remember now - Throw Out Reactionary Yobbos!
He helps the Tories get into power not by coming up with exciting new policies ( he does not have a stance on any major political issue and has to rely on charm alone ), but by humiliating the Labour leader on national television. Eventually, he has the British Army stealing Swiss gold and using it to prop up the British economy, and murders Tory Prime Minister 'Tom Hutchison' ( Ronald Fraser ) by pushing him off an oil rig. He becomes Dictator of Britain not by force, but by submitting each major decision to a public vote, which the voters grow tired of.
Rimmer is amoral. He even chooses his wife-to-be - show-jumper 'Pat Cartwright' ( the beautiful Vanessa Howard ) - by opinion poll. Its been said that he was based on David Frost, but I think he could well be 'George Spiggot' from 'Bedazzled', making good on his threat to ruin the world. Cook is fabulous here. From the moment he enters the film to the accompaniment of John Cameron's excellent theme tune, you cannot take off your eyes off him. Rather selflessly, he gives all the really funny lines over to others. Making Rimmer into an overtly comic character would have hurt the film.
And what a supporting cast! John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Dudley Foster, Diana Coupland, Michael Bates, George A. Cooper ( as a thinly disguised Harold Wilson ), Denholm Elliott, Harold Pinter ( as T. V. interviewer 'Steven Hench' ), even a Ronnie Corbett cameo.
Director Kevin Billington co-wrote the script along with Graham Chapman, John Cleese and Peter Cook. It is full of sharp digs at the worlds of advertising, market research, public relations and politics. The newly-elected Tory Government decides to hold a 'crisis' meeting on the state of the economy - a lavish, open-air banquet in the grounds of a palatial country house! Rimmer reminds the P. M. of his promise to cut income tax and increase pensions, only to be told: "nobody expects us to do it! We normally say we are horrified, and blame it on the last lot!". The Enoch Powell affair is made fun of too; a retiring Tory M. P. ( Roland Culver ) makes a racially inflammatory speech so that the leader can sack him and so look good in the eyes of voters!
Funniest moment - Rimmer catching John Cleese's character practising ball-room dancing in his coffee break!
The film may have unquestionably dated ( Valerie Leon's man-hungry 'Tanya' seems to have wandered out of a 'Carry On' picture ), but many of its points are still valid. I personally regard it as one of the best British comedies ever made. Remember now - Throw Out Reactionary Yobbos!