Anthony Newley made a memorable appearance on "The Carol Burnett Show" spoofing the irresistibility of British accents even when being tacky. he's a pop rock singer who, like Elvis, is drafted and creates a storm of publicity and a lot of chaos when he goes into training. Some of the officers hate him. Others use him to kiss up to the higher brass, and he creates one enemy and pompous Colonel Lionel Jeffries who tries to bring him down through constant accusations of being AWOL and for just being unable to fit into military life. This isn't so much a basic training or military film as it is a comedy about two worlds colliding, with Anne Aubrey very good as an acquaintance of Jeffries' whom Newley takes a shine to.
This is a light-hearted comedy with several songs (one is repeated over and over), and there are many moments that are very funny. Particularly enjoyable is the scene in a movie theater where Newley and a rival for Aubrey's affections try to move closer to her, creating a funny situation with a spinster is looking woman next to them. Standing out with funny performances are William Bendix (utilizing a hysterical accent) and Jeffries, whose pomposity and constant failure make him a delightful foil.
This is easy going and light-hearted entertainment, and Newley's attempts to spoof the Presley image are amazingly sharp. This may not be as well remembered as "Bye Bye Birdie" (the Elvis drafting spoof that came out on Broadway the following year), but it is clever is away it presents its hero and the clumsy oxes around him.
This is a light-hearted comedy with several songs (one is repeated over and over), and there are many moments that are very funny. Particularly enjoyable is the scene in a movie theater where Newley and a rival for Aubrey's affections try to move closer to her, creating a funny situation with a spinster is looking woman next to them. Standing out with funny performances are William Bendix (utilizing a hysterical accent) and Jeffries, whose pomposity and constant failure make him a delightful foil.
This is easy going and light-hearted entertainment, and Newley's attempts to spoof the Presley image are amazingly sharp. This may not be as well remembered as "Bye Bye Birdie" (the Elvis drafting spoof that came out on Broadway the following year), but it is clever is away it presents its hero and the clumsy oxes around him.