British Comedy Guide
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Be Careful, Mr Smith (1935)

Though the film title was actually "Singing Through" - the other title being how it is listed on the IMDb and the BFI, so I don't know what is going on there
Just over an hour long, being typical film of its time, that is very little comedy, or what passed for comedy then, with an excuse to trail out music hall performers, mainly performing musical numbers, with such classics as "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo", "Who Were You With Last Night", "I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside" etc.

Leading man (Mr Smith) was played by Bobbie Comber, who I'd never heard of but noted he was born in my neck of the woods, in Bury St Edmunds

Basic plot was, Mr Smith is conned into investing money on the London market by three scammers, and through a silly plot gets all his money back when he sets up his own bookies business - then having learnt his lesson, decides to go back to the countryside to the arms of his loving wife.

Didn't anyone else, but thought I'd seen the man (not listed) who played the butler.

Not bad, but only 4/10

Quote: Hercules Grytpype Thynne @ 5th June 2025, 11:32 PM

Though the film title was actually "Singing Through" - the other title being how it is listed on the IMDb and the BFI, so I don't know what is going on there
Just over an hour long, being typical film of its time, that is very little comedy, or what passed for comedy then, with an excuse to trail out music hall performers, mainly performing musical numbers, with such classics as "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo", "Who Were You With Last Night", "I Do Like to be Beside the Seaside" etc.

Leading man (Mr Smith) was played by Bobbie Comber, who I'd never heard of but noted he was born in my neck of the woods, in Bury St Edmunds

Basic plot was, Mr Smith is conned into investing money on the London market by three scammers, and through a silly plot gets all his money back when he sets up his own bookies business - then having learnt his lesson, decides to go back to the countryside to the arms of his loving wife.

Didn't anyone else, but thought I'd seen the man (not listed) who played the butler.

Not bad, but only 4/10

I have to disagree with the 4/10 rating. It might not be laugh-out-loud funny, but its nostalgic value and period atmosphere deserve more credit. I'd say a solid 6 or even 7.

Quote: Hercules Grytpype Thynne @ 5th June 2025, 11:32 PM

Though the film title was actually "Singing Through" - the other title being how it is listed on the IMDb and the BFI, so I don't know what is going on there

As per our Guide, it was renamed ('Singing Through') for a re-release in 1940.

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