Britain seemed to push out a ton of these army comedies in the late 1950s, perhaps due to the success of THE ARMY GAME on television. IDOL ON PARADE is one of the weaker ones I've watched, one which strives hard to build a head of steam around the presence of real-life pop star Anthony Newley playing a, well, pop star who finds himself conscripted into the army. The usual battles with tight authority figures ensues, along with plenty of boisterous behaviour and the like. There are some good actors in reliable support - David Lodge, Lionel Jeffries, and Sid James - but the script feels more than rushed and the whole thing has a middling feel.
Review of Idol on Parade
