Patrick Cargill Movies
Originally aiming for a military career, London-born Patrick Cargill attended Sandhurst, then spent several years as an officer in the Indian Army. Upon his return to England, Cargill shifted his sights toward the stage, making his London theatrical debut in the 1953 revue High Spirits. In films from 1952, Cargill is most fondly remembered by 1960s moviegoers as the prickly Scotland Yard investigator in the Beatles' Help! (1965) and as the gentleman's gentleman with "consummation on the brain" in Chaplin's A Countess From Hong Kong (1967). He also helped launch the chucklesome Carry On film series by co-writing Ring for Catty, the novel upon which Carry On, Nurse (1958) was based. An inescapable presence on British television, Patrick Cargill co-produced the comedy series Ooh La La and starred in Father Dear Father (1968-1973, 1977) and The Many Wives of Patrick (1977-1978). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1978
As the title indicates, this Australian series was a continuation of the long-running British sitcom Father Dear Father. Patrick Cargill repeated his role as widowed novelist Patrick Glover, as did Noel Dyson as Glover's general factotum "Natty" Harris. At last shed of his nubile, slightly daft daughters, Patrick moved to Australia so he could research his next book. But if he hoped for peace and quiet, he was sadly mistaken: Occupying the house owned by his vacationing brother, Patrick also "inherited" a pair of nutty nieces, who were every bit as troublesome as his own offspring. Created by Johnnie Mortimer and Brian Cooke, the 14-episode Father, Dear Father in Australia was broadcast by the Seven Network from June 25, 1978, to June 28, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
This easygoing drama offers a look back at the early days of the Australian movie business, and it was based on the real-life adventures of pioneering Aussie exhibitor Lyle Penn. Maurice "Pop" Pym (John Meillon) loves motion pictures, and he wants to open a cinema of his own. But shortly after the turn of the century, financial support for such a venture is hard to come by, so Pop does the next best thing; with his young son and a piano player in tow, Pop carts his collection of silent films and a portable projection system from one small town to another across the continent, showing his pictures wherever and whenever he can. However, Pop quickly learns that he already has a rival; Mr. Palmer (Rod Taylor) has decided to go into the movie business as well, and with deeper pockets, he's able to afford better equipment than Pop's shoestring budget can provide. Ironically, Rod Taylor plays a character who was born in Texas but emigrated to Australia; Taylor was in fact born in Australia and became a film star when he moved to the U.S. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Taylor, John Meillon, (more)
- 1973
The British TV sitcom Father Dear Father originally ran from 1968 through 1973. Veteran farceur Patrick Cargill starred as a divorced father with two nubile daughters. Complications ensued when the girls moved into the flat just below Cargill's. You may recognize this property as the basis for the 1980s Ted Knight series Too Close For Comfort. This feature-film version of Father Dear Father merely rehashes plot devices from the series; neither of the property's original writers, Brian Cooke and John Mortimer (of Rumpole of the Bailey fame) seem to have been involved in the movie adaptation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1971
Actor Frankie Howerd reprises his role from the British TV series Up Pompeii, in the tradition of the hugely popular Carry On series. The rest of the cast comes from these two series as well. There is a plot to kill the Emperor Nero (Patrick Cargill), and his loyal slave Lurcio (Howard) unwittingly comes into possession of a scroll which lists the names of the plotters. While he remains in the dark about it, both Nero's men and the original assassins pursue Lurcio, with many zany antics, through the streets (and orgies) of ancient Rome. Much of the humor comes in asides directed to the audience. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1970
- R
This offbeat comedy finds Teddy (Marty Feldman) as a television advertising man given a seemingly meaningless project. Slated to make frozen porridge commercials, he comes up with the idea to find an erotic Goldilocks to sell the product. Soon a nationwide search is launched for the female spokesperson. He has trouble at home because his wife is the leader of the "Keep Television Clean" movement. Teddy dreams up a wild bunch of commercials and his daydreams harken back to silent era comedies. This was the first full length film for Feldman, the bug eyed comic who parlayed his television success in Britain into a comedy film career in Hollywood. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marty Feldman, Shelley Berman, (more)
This zany British comedy finds a homeless hobo (Ringo Starr) being adopted by the world's richest man, Sir Guy Grand (Peter Sellers). Setting sail on the luxury liner The Magic Christian, Sir Grand tests the limit of human avarice. With money to motivate the greedy, Laurence Harvey combines his Hamlet soliloquy with a striptease. A vile cesspool of excrement is seeded with cash and the money-hungry dive right in. Wilfred Hyde White is the drunken captain, Yul Brynner is uncredited in his performance as a chanteuse transvestite, and John Cleese is the director of Sotheby's auction house. Roman Polanski, Richard Attenborough and Raquel Welch also appear in this offbeat comedy. Paul McCartney wrote and produced "Come and Get It," the first international hit from the power-pop group Badfinger. John "Speedy" Keene wrote "Something In The Air" and performed the track with his group Thunderclap Newman. Sellers, Cleese, Graham Chapman and Terry Southern co-authored the screenplay taken from Southern's novel. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Sellers, Ringo Starr, (more)
The famously inept but accidentally brilliant Inspector Clouseau returns to help foil a group of daring robbers in this comedy, the only film in the long-running series not to feature Peter Sellers as the bumbling inspector. Instead, the talented Alan Arkin assumes the role, blundering his way through the expected series of absurd, slapstick situations. The plot centers on a series of Swiss bank robberies under investigation by an uptight Scotland Yard inspector (Patrick Cargill), who naturally becomes infuriated by Clouseau's unwelcome intervention. Meanwhile, the robbers decide to confuse matters by wearing Clouseau masks, offering further opportunities for farcical mistaken identities. Due to the absence of both Sellers and director Blake Edwards, Inspector Clouseau has largely been forgotten in comparison to the other Pink Panther films, though it maintains some interest as a curious aberration in the popular comic series. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alan Arkin, Frank Finlay, (more)
- 1968
This uneven spy saga finds secret agent Charles Hood (Vince Edwards) on the trail of the criminal master spy Hammerhead (Peter Vaughan). He tries to discover some NATO secrets in between his hobby of collecting antique erotica from around the world. Hood must stop the evil Hammerhead before he uses the secret information to spark an incident of international terrorism. In order to stop Hammerhead's sordid plan, he poses as a courier delivering erotica to the spy. Distaff interests are provided by Diana Dors and Judy Geeson in this feature that fails to take advantage of some beautiful scenes of Portugal. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vince Edwards, Judy Geeson, (more)
- 1967
Written by Roger Woddis, this episode of The Prisoner guest stars Patrick Cargill (also seen in the previous episode "Free for All") as super sadistic New Number Two. Delighting in tormenting the villagers, Number Two drives at least one of them, Number 73 (Hilary Dwyer), to suicide. Hoping to avenge the woman's death, Number Six begins his own campaign of psychological warfare, utilizing such "weapons" as his collection of Bizet recordings! In addition to resembling an installment of the much later CBS series, Survivor, this episode also predates American Gladiators by offering an "extreme sport" known as Kosho. Originally slated as the 14th episode of The Prisoner, "Hammer into the Anvil" was seen as episode number 10 when it first aired in England on December 10, 1967. It was placed in its original chronology for American television, where it was first seen on August 31, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Charles Chaplin wrote, directed, and scored this old-fashioned romantic comedy, which proved to be his last film. Wealthy American diplomat Ogden Mears (Marlon Brando) is sailing from Hong Kong to Hawaii, where he hopes to meet and reconcile with his estranged wife Martha (Tippi Hedren). However, while the ship takes on passengers in Hong Kong, a stowaway slips into Mears' suite. Natascha (Sophia Loren) is a White Russian countess who was forced to flee the country following the revolution and ended up in Hong Kong, where she earns a meager living as a dime-a-dance girl in a sleazy ballroom. When Mears discovers that Natascha is an uninvited guest in his quarters, she begs him to help her emigrate to the United States; when he refuses, Natascha tries a new tack, threatening to tell Martha that they've been sharing a stateroom if he doesn't cooperate. Mears grudgingly allows Natascha to stay with him and keep her secret until he can figure out a clever way to get rid of her. Margaret Rutherford has a showy supporting role as an eccentric passenger, and Chaplin gives himself a silent cameo as a bumbling porter (no fewer than four of his children also appear). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, (more)
- 1967
Originally broadcast in England on November 12, 1967, this episode of The Prisoner was written by Anthony Skene and directed by "Joseph Serf" --- actually a pseudonym for series star Patrick McGoohan. Arising from his slumbers early one morning, Number Six discovers that the Village is deserted and all the power has been shut off. At last able to make his escape, Number Six fashions a raft and sets out to sea. Washing up on the shore of what seems to be a familiar English coastal village, he finds that his old lodgings have been taken over by a Mrs. Butterworth (Georgina Cookson), whose behavior does not set his heart at ease. Hoping to return to his former government headquarters to inform his superiors of the Village's existence, the prisoner is plunged into a deep and ever-widening pit of paranoia, with no certainty as to whom he can trust and whom he should fear. Donald Sinden and Patrick Cargill guest star as the Colonel and Thorpe, respectively. "Many Happy Returns" first aired in America on July 20, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Steed and Emma investigate when several clients of a marriage bureau are suddenly and inexplcably murdered. It turns out that the agency also sidelines in assassination -- but only for "select" customers. Naturally, it is Emma who bears the brunt of the villains' wrath. . .and this time, she doesn't seem quite as self-confident as usual. Initally filmed with Elizabeth Shepherd in the role of Emma Peel, the reshot version of "The Murder Market" first aired in England on November 13, 1965. Written by Tony Williamson, the episode made its American network TV debut on May 30, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
In their second feature with director Richard Lester, who oversaw the massive hit A Hard Day's Night, the Beatles again aim for a mix of goofy comedy and sterling pop music. There is slightly more of a plot this time, though it is a patently ridiculous one: a sacred ruby ring comes into Ringo's possession, attracting the unwelcome attention of an exotic religious cult and forcing the boys to go on the run. This chase narrative is thankfully never taken too seriously, serving mainly as an excuse for colorful excursions to international locations from Europe to the Bahamas. The musical numbers include such classic tunes as "Ticket to Ride," "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," and, of course, "Help!". ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- The Beatles
- 1965
The gap between the British and American telecast of the individual Avengers episodes narrowed considerably during the series' fifth season; this episode appeared on American television a scant six days after its British TV debut. Steed and Peel investigate the mysterious deaths of several top figures in the ceramics business. It turns out that all of the victims were literally frightened to death. . .and guess which leather-clad female secret agent is next on the villains' "scare" list. Written by Philip Levene, "The Fear Merchants" features a choice performance by Patrick Cargill, best known to American viewers for his work in the Beatles' theatrical film Help! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Rigg
- 1964
This unsavory British programmer stars Ian Hendry as a hustler who seduces anything in skirts. He launches his sexual adventures by trying to put the make on his married boarding house neighbor June Ritchie. She spurns him until he agrees to find her young daughter, who has wandered off. Hendry moves on to Ritchie's sister Annette Andre, but this affair is squelched by Ritchie, who threatens to kill herself and tell all to her husband. Hendry leaves to find new conquests elsewhere. A novel by Nan Maynard was the launching pad for This Is My Street. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- June Ritchie, Avice Landone, (more)
Diminutive pratfall comic Norman Wisdom, Britain's latter-day version of Charlie Chaplin, brought his trademark physical slapstick to this comedy. Wisdom plays Norman Pitkin, a simple butcher's assistant who accompanies his boss, Mr. Grimsdale (Edward Chapman) to the hospital after Grimsdale accidentally swallows a watch. There, it is determined that the watch will have to be removed surgically, but the clumsy Norman causes such a ruckus that he is ejected from the facility and banned from returning by the administrator, Sir Hector (Jerry Desmonde). Before he leaves, however, Norman manages to bring a smile to the face of Lindy (Lucy Appleby), a sad little girl who has been orphaned by a plane crash. Norman promised Lindy he would return, and his efforts to get back through the hospital doors by any means available (including making himself sick, getting hit by a car, and appearing on a charity television broadcast he knows the girl is watching) meet with an equal lack of success. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Norman Wisdom, Edward Chapman, (more)
- 1963
Runaway wife Ellis hitches a ride with trucker Booth until the truck is hijacked and Ellis works to catch the thieves. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1963
Carry on Venus was originally titled Carry On Jack. A parody of seafaring epics, this one takes place in 1805 (give or take a few years). Kenneth Williams stars as Captain Fearless, doing battle against pirates, mutineers and the Spanish Armada (in 1805?) The recently released Marlon Brando version of Mutiny on the Bounty is mercilessly lampooned throughout. Aiding and abetting the usual gang of "Carry On"-ers are newcomers Juliet Mills and Bernard Cribbins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenny Williams, Bernard Cribbins, (more)
- 1962
Bernard Lee, better known as "M" in the James Bond movies, makes one of his periodic appearances as novelist Edgar Wallace's diligent Scotland Yard investigator protagonist in The Share Out. This time Lee takes on a clever blackmailing ring which preys upon above-suspicion government officials. As usual, Lee wraps things up in little more than an hour, permitting this film to slip comfortably into the syndicated Edgar Wallace Theatre weekly TV package. Reliable supporting players like Patrick Cargill (the inspector in the Beatles' Help!) and Alexander Knox (the Canadian actor best known for playing the title role in 1945's Wilson) lend credence to the proceedings. The Share Out was the 35th in producer Jack Greenwood's 47-installment Edgar Wallace series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
This entertaining farce is from the director who brought the world the highly successful "Carry On..." comedies -- Gerald Thomas -- and exhibits some of his hand at slapstick situations. The premise, based on the play Ring for Catty, is hardly complex. Nurse Catty (Juliet Mills) is one of the main attractions -- along with two other nurses (played by Jill Ireland and manda Reiss) -- in the TB ward of a local hospital. An important daily goal is to avoid unwanted lascivious attention from patients, and aside from that subplot, there are enough bedpan jokes and similar types of hospital humor to keep the scenes moving along. Eventually, Catty begins to take more than a nursing interest in one of her saner patients, Bob White (Ronald Lewis). ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Juliet Mills, Donald Sinden, (more)
- 1961
This Edgar Wallace-based second feature headlines Bernard Lee, the beloved 5 of the James Bond pictures. Here Lee is a Scotland Yard inspector, baffled by a seemingly unrelated string of murders. The link between these homicides is the silver key of the title, which yields surprising results. It takes Lee very nearly the whole 59 minutes to unravel the mystery, thus Clue of the Silver Key is paced more like a serial episode than a standard British mystery. The film was the ninth in producer Jack Greenwood's 47-installment series of Edgar Wallace thrillers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
The "Carry On" gang take on employment agencies in this labored edition to the long-running comedy series. Sidney James is Bert Handy, who starts an employment agency by the name of "Helping Hands, Ltd." Bert proceeds to hire a bunch of loonies to do a collection of screwball jobs employers want done. As is usually the case, the employees make hash out of every assignment given to them. In fact, the agency is so unsuccessful that their landlord (Stanley Unwin) tries to have the business removed from his premises by raising their rent. But the landlord makes a deal with Bert that if his company can fix up an old house, they can have a 99-year lease on the property. Chaos ensues. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sidney James, Kenneth Connor, (more)
- 1959
Perhaps in an earlier era or in some remote village, this comedy would work, but this story about two mixed-up identities during World War II is comedically outdated. Brian Rix has the dual role of an Air Force officer who is going on an important military mission to France. The brass decide to hoodwink the Germans by finding the officer's double (an idiot latrine-cleaner at an Air Force base) and putting him on a plane to Cairo. As events unfold, the two men get mixed up, and each heads off to the other's destination, giving rise to several absurd tangles. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Rix, Cecil Parker, (more)
- 1959
The "Carry On" gang take up residence in the men's ward of a British hospital in this wildly funny and wildly crude farce. There's not much of a plot, but plenty of nudging and winking, as the male patients line up by their bedpans as a mixed assortment of female nurses tend to their every whim. Included in the menagerie is Bert Albie (Wilfrid Hyde White), who enjoys killing time by taunting an overweight student nurse; Bernie Bishop (Kenneth Connor), a sharp-tongued boxer; and Hinton (Charles Hawtrey), who likes to amuse himself at the radio. There's also a slight romantic storyline, hinging around Ted York (Terence Longdon) and his amorous advances upon the attractive Nurse Denton (Shirley Eaton). But the gag's the thing in this rambunctious entry. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenneth Connor, Kenny Williams, (more)
