Formby on film
An amateur artist come handyman gets into trouble when nude female bodies are added to the heads he has drawn of prominent ladies, and are sold as soap adverts. Brendan Ryan Leslie Halliwell's Film Guide A gormless handyman gets into trouble when the portraits of his lady clients are sold to an advertising agency with nude bodies added to them. A slightly vulgar and talkative farce which restricts the star. Look out for three other stars of British comedy here, radio star Jimmy Clitheroe is George's pal, "Carry On'" star Charles Hawtrey can also be seen in a early role and Kathleen Harrison also features well. The plot is in keeping with George's cheeky image but this film doesn't come anywhere near to George's earlier ATP work. Peter Pollard Certainly one of George's best pictures, and one of the funniest. This is a perfect vehicle for George, with four good songs ("Talking to the Moon About You" is a real gem - it's a pity that Dorothy Day wrote no other songs for George). The cast includes some wonderful characters (such as Charles Hawtrey and Kathleen Harrison) and it is a treat to see Jimmy Clitheroe as George's brother - what a superb double act these two Lancashire lads make! The title "Much Too Shy" seems to fit perfectly the character that George played in all of his films - too bashful and innocent for his own good. But he never gives up hope and when trouble's brewing, he rises to the challenge and always wins through for a "turned out nice again" ending. What an inspiration he must have been throughout the war years. Andy Eastwood
Much Too Shy MUCH TOO SHY Columbia Produced by: Marcel Varney & Ben Henry Writer: Ronald Frankau Director: Marcel Varnel Trade Show: July 21 1942; Released on: October 12 1942 Cast: George Formby,Kathleen Harrison, Hilda Bayley, Eileen Bennett, Joss Ambler, Jimmy Clitheroe, Brefni O'Rourke, Peter Gawthorne, Charles Hawtrey SONGS: Andy The Handy Man (Latta) They Laughed When I Started To Play (Formby/Cliffe) Talking To The Moon About You (Day) Delivering The Morning Milk (Formby/Gifford/Cliffe) By The Shortest Of Heads By The Shortest Of Heads Boots Boots Boots Boots Off The Dole Off The Dole George Formby Cavalcade George Formby Cavalcade No Limit No Limit Keep Your Seats Please Keep Your Seats Please Feather Your Nest Feather Your Nest Keep Fit Keep Fit I See Ice I See Ice It's In The Air It's In The Air Trouble Brewing Trouble Brewing Come On George Come On George Let George Do It Let George Do It Spare A Copper Spare A Copper Turned Out Nice Again Turned Out Nice Again South American George South American George Much Too Shy Much Too Shy Get Cracking Get Cracking Bell Bottom George Bell Bottom George He Snoops To Conquer He Snoops To Conquer I Didn't Do It I Didn't Do It George In Civvy Street George In Civvy Street Back to Film Index Back to Film Index HOME HOME
formby on film
An amateur artist come handyman gets into trouble when nude female bodies are added to the heads he has drawn of prominent ladies, and are sold as soap adverts. Brendan Ryan Leslie Halliwell's Film Guide A gormless handyman gets into trouble when the portraits of his lady clients are sold to an advertising agency with nude bodies added to them. A slightly vulgar and talkative farce which restricts the star. Look out for three other stars of British comedy here, radio star Jimmy Clitheroe is George's pal, "Carry On'" star Charles Hawtrey can also be seen in a early role and Kathleen Harrison also features well. The plot is in keeping with George's cheeky image but this film doesn't come anywhere near to George's earlier ATP work. Peter Pollard Certainly one of George's best pictures, and one of the funniest. This is a perfect vehicle for George, with four good songs ("Talking to the Moon About You" is a real gem - it's a pity that Dorothy Day wrote no other songs for George). The cast includes some wonderful characters (such as Charles Hawtrey and Kathleen Harrison) and it is a treat to see Jimmy Clitheroe as George's brother - what a superb double act these two Lancashire lads make! The title "Much Too Shy" seems to fit perfectly the character that George played in all of his films - too bashful and innocent for his own good. But he never gives up hope and when trouble's brewing, he rises to the challenge and always wins through for a "turned out nice again" ending.
Much Too Shy
MUCH TOO SHY Columbia Produced by: Marcel Varney & Ben Henry Writer: Ronald Frankau Director: Marcel Varnel Trade Show: July 21 1942; Released on: October 12 1942 Cast: George Formby,Kathleen Harrison, Hilda Bayley, Eileen Bennett, Joss Ambler, Jimmy Clitheroe, Brefni O'Rourke, Peter Gawthorne, Charles Hawtrey SONGS: Andy The Handy Man (Latta) They Laughed When I Started To Play (Formby/Cliffe) Talking To The Moon About You (Day) Delivering The Morning Milk (Formby/Gifford/Cliffe)