Light Up The Sky!. Image shows from L to R: Gunner Eric McCaffey (Tommy Steele), Gunner Syd McCaffey (Benny Hill)
Light Up The Sky!

Light Up The Sky!

  • 1960 film

Comedy about the exploits of the small group of men manning an anti-aircraft searchlight installation during World War 2. Stars Ian Carmichael, Tommy Steele, Benny Hill, Sydney Tafler, Victor Maddern and more.

Light Up The Sky!. Image shows from L to R: Gunner Syd McCaffey (Benny Hill), Lt. Ogleby (Ian Carmichael)

Key details

Genre
Film
Released
1960
Creator
Robert Storey
Stars
Ian Carmichael, Tommy Steele, Benny Hill, Sydney Tafler, Victor Maddern, Harry Locke, Johnny Briggs, Cyril Smith and more
Writer
Vernon Harris
Director
Lewis Gilbert
Producers
Lewis Gilbert and John Dark
Company

It is the early 1940s, and a small cricket field somewhere in southern England has been requisitioned by the army for placement of an anti-aircraft searchlight squadron, with the modest pavilion turned into their quarters.

Lead by 'Tommo' Tomlinson - and in turn overseen by well-spoken regional commander Lieutenant Ogelby - the small but tightly-knit group takes a relaxed attitude to rules and expected army behaviour. Their number includes brothers Eric and Syd McCaffey, who are a small-time comedy double-act working variety theatres at every opportunity; cook Roland Kenyon, who dreams of training to become a proper chef; and Ted Green, whose own young son is serving in the Mediterranean.

Tensions are raised amongst the squadron when Eric returns from a short period of leave and announces his marriage - the first Syd has heard of it! Tomlinson himself is waiting to get married, whilst 'Smithy' Smith is pining for a sweetheart whom he fears will marry another man. Tommo's also under pressure from his fiancée, who's been promoted above him: his masculine pride can't take the boys' mocking! But they should be careful, as promotion would require a crack-down in discipline.

Between the Nazis' irregular air raids, the group engage in a series of underhand escapades amidst the nearby villages, but it's Eric's dalliance with a local farmer's daughter that could really set the cat amongst the pigeons!

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Additional details

UK certificate
A
Duration
90 minutes
Distributors

British Lion

Bryanston Films

Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Black and white

Website links

Broadcast details

Most recent repeats
  • Tuesday 26th May 2020 at 6:00am on TPTV
  • Saturday 22nd February 2020 at 2:05pm on TPTV
  • Monday 11th November 2019 at 12:00pm on TPTV

Recording details

  • Twickenham Film Studios