Sid Field was a popular British stage comedian who never made it as a movie star despite a few expensive attempts, this being one. As a vehicle for the comic it's poorly constructed, with a lack of comic set pieces, or strong support cast, or laughs. It takes too long to introduce Field and is far too serious for much of the running time.
The basic idea isn't bad isn't bad - Field is a barrow boy used as a spy for Charles II during the time of Oliver Cromwell. Bob Hope made a bunch of these historical comedies, but they were done by people who knew what they were doing - plenty of colour, gags and songs. This one feels amateurish.
The main problem is it isn't funny. I know that's a matter of personal taste, but evidently the British public of 1949 agreed with me for they did not turn up in expected numbers. It badly lacks comic sequences. And when they attempt it - eg banter between Field and a royalist lord, Jerry Desmonde - it doesn't really work.
Part of this is due to the weakness of the support cast. Lockwood tries, in a blonde wig, but she's not a natural comedienne; for all her efforts she looks like someone out of her league - and the film is geared too much towards her. Jerry Desmonde, as a royalist officer, was Field's regular on stage collaborator but he's not much good in the film.
It does pick up towards the end when the dramatic lines become simpler - Field and his gang try to break into a castle, resulting in them dressing up (Field in drag). There's pace and movement but it never hits home.
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