The Lyons Abroad (1955) User Reviews

Bebe and Ben in Their Final Film

[drednm · 13 November 2008]

In a sequel to LIFE WITH THE LYONS (1954) Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon star in their final film, one based on their British radio and TV series.

For their 24th wedding anniversary, Ben and Bebe pack up their household and go to Paris where they get involved in a series of misadventures involving a blonde French revue star.

Again Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyon are breezy and fun as heads of the family. Barbara and Richard are also quite good. Martine Alexis plays the French star.

The two films helped launch the Lyons on a successful TV career.

Between them, Ben and Bebe appeared in more than 300 films!

Hammer comedy dud

[Leofwine_draca · 3/10 · 11 May 2018]

THE LYONS IN PARIS is the follow-up to LIFE WITH THE LYONS, another big-screen escapade for a comedy family popular from a BBC radio serial. This one sees the family heading off to Paris for a holiday, where they get involved in various sub-plots, the main one involving the father's supposed affair with a French singer. I've not seen the first film in the series, nor am I familiar with the cast or the radio show, but I watched this as part of my efforts to view all existing Hammer Films productions. Truth be told I found this one hard to sit through, as it's an aimless and dated comedy in which very little happens of substance. I guess you had to be there at the time to enjoy it. The film is full of cultural stereotypes, while the main characters feel dullish and one-dimensional. Martine Alexis brings a touch of glamour to her role but other than that this is rather lifeless.

Come and meet those traveling feet.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 11 July 2022]

It's been 22 years since Dorothy Brock broke her leg and had to allow the understudy to go on, and Bebe Daniels, her portrayer, has gone on, across the pond as the star of a popular BBC comedy with husband Ben Lyon and their two children. The family takes a trip to Paris where hilarity ensues as stop mature couple and their grown children get into all sorts of trouble.

It's obvious that Bebe and Ben were the Ozzie and Harriet of Great Britain although much of the humor is American in style. The problem is that the film is not very cinematic and very small screen in nature, and that has dated it terribly. Bebe is trying too hard to be like Lucy, and her dinginess doesn't ring true. However, the kids are charming and pop Ben manages to make his bumbling character somewhat funny. Definitely a mixed bag.