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King Arthur Was a Gentleman
King Arthur Was a Gentleman
	Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Marcel Varnel
Written by	Marriott Edgar (writer); Val Guest (writer)
Produced by	Edward Black (producer)
Starring	Arthur Askey; Evelyn Dall; Peter Graves; Ronald Shiner
Cinematography	Arthur Crabtree
Edited by	R. E. Dearing
Music by	Bob Busby
Production; company	Gainsborough Pictures
Distributed by	General Film Distributors
Release date	28 December 1942;
Running time	99 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

King Arthur Was a Gentleman is a 1942 British black-and-white comedy musical film directed by Marcel Varnel and starring Arthur Askey, Evelyn Dall, Peter Graves and Ronald Shiner.^[1] It was written by Marriott Edgar and Val Guest, and was produced by Edward Black and Maurice Ostrer for Gainsborough Pictures.^[2]

Plot

In the Second World War, the undersized Arthur joins the army to prove himself to his girlfriend Susan, who is in the same unit as him. Here, his idealistic notions about King Arthur prompt his messmates to trick him into believing that a sword they have dug up is the fabled Excalibur. Armed with this talisman, Arthur strides forth to deal with the Wehrmacht.

Cast

Arthur Askey as Arthur King
Max Bacon as Maxie
Al Burnett as Slim
Evelyn Dall as Susan Ashley
Vera Frances as Vera
Peter Graves as Lance
Brefni O'Rorke as Colonel Duncannon
Anne Shelton as Gwen Duncannon
Ronald Shiner as Sergeant
Jack Train as Jack
Victor Feldman as young drummer with Maxie
Freddie Crump as himself, drumming

Soundtrack

Arthur Askey – "You Know What King Arthur Said"
Arthur Askey – "Honey On My Mind"
Anne Shelton – "Why Can't It Happen To Me?"
Evelyn Dall – "You'll Love The Army"
Evelyn Dall – "Got A Bee In My Bonnet"
Evelyn Dall – "Actions Speak Louder Than Words"

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Arthur Askey's admirers will appreciate King Arthur was a Gentleman to the full, for, apart from a few impersonations by Jack Train, and some outbursts of amusing backchat from Max Bacon, he carries the comic side of the film single-handed for the whole of its 99 minutes. That part of the film which describes Arthur's trials in camp is undoubtedly the funniest, since with the change of scene 'out East' the plot wanders and the end comes somewhat as an anti-climax. Evelyn Dall as Arthur's girlfriend is notable chiefly for her crooning ability, and both she and Anne Shelton take advantage of the opportunities which Manning Sherwin's excellent musical score gives them."^[3]

In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "average", writing: "Some funnyy scens and good songs, but overlong and missing opportunities to indulge in fantasy."^[4]

Leslie Halliwell said: "Not-too-successful attempt to turn a music hall comedian into a figure of Chaplinesque pathos."^[5]

The Radio Times Guide to Films gave the film 2/5 stars, writing: "This is as likeable as any flag-waving comedy, with Arthur Askey as the cheery Tommy who is convinced he has found King Arthur's sword Excalibur and is invincible. This could have done with fewer songs and more gags."^[6]

References

^ "King Arthur Was a Gentleman". British Film Institute Collections Search. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
^ Vagg, Stephen (1 December 2024). "Forgotten British Film Moguls: Ted Black". Filmink. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
^ "King Arthur Was a Gentleman". The Monthly Film Bulletin. 9 (97): 153. 1 January 1942 – via ProQuest.
^ Quinlan, David (1984). British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. p. 223. ISBN 0-7134-1874-5.
^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). London: Paladin. p. 559. ISBN 0586088946.
^ Radio Times Guide to Films (18th ed.). London: Immediate Media Company. 2017. p. 507. ISBN 9780992936440.