CARLTON-BROWNE OF THE F.O.

UK, 1958, 88 minutes, Black and white.
Terry Thomas, Peter Sellers, Ian Bannen, Thorley Walters, Raymond Huntley, Luciana Paluzzi, Miles Malleson, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier.
Directed by Jeffrey Dell, Roy Boulting.

Carlton-Browne? of the FO is an amusing British comedy in the spirit of the late 1950s. It was a star vehicle for Terry-Thomas? who does his usual feckless thing. Peter Sellers appears in a cameo role, more subdued and sinister than usual. There is an excellent British supporting cast led by Ian Bannen as well as a number of character actors.

The film is an intelligent spoof on Britain and its ambitions and claims, memories of past empire. In this film, a small island which had been discovered in the 18th century by accident, is having its own problems and Carlton-Browne? is sent by the Foreign Office for diplomatic reasons. He is definitely the wrong choice.

The film was co-directed by Jeffrey Dell, prolific writer in the 40s and 50s, and one of the Boulting twins, Roy Boulting, whose films include Fame is the Spur, Seven Days to Noon, Heavens Above.

1. A good English comedy? Why? What were its main features?

2. The film had a lot of edge in its comedy. What was the nature of this edge? To whom was it directed?

3. What was the picture of England, colonial office, foreign office and English traditions given by the film? Was it a realistic picture of England? Was it too exaggerated a picture of England and its diplomacy? How much truth was there in this picture?

4. At times the film seems cynical about Britain, America, Russia, the United Nations. Was it cynical? Examples, British behaviour at the United Nations meetings, the visit of representatives to Gaillardia. The sending of troops, Gaillardia, military parade, etc.

5. Comment on the behaviour of Carlton Browne, as a person, as an Englishman, as a diplomat, as foolish; comment on the behaviour of the Prime Minister, as a person, as incompetent, as double-dealing, as ignoring the wishes of the people; comment on the behaviour of the minister and his diplomacy.

6. Comment on the role of the young king in the film. He spoke words sincerely about good ruling, and about the people. How did these sincere words counterbalance the comedy and the cynical remarks of the diplomats?

7. How funny was the film? were there genuinely funny moments?

8. Comment on the minor characters and the satire the king, his uncle and his revolution, the princess, romance, the colonel and his assisting Carlton-Browne? and his militant, attitudes.

9. There was a lot of incidental humour and comment? the newsreel interview with the average British housewife, the woman in the theatre, the people at the hotel, the military parade, etc. How mocking was this? How humorous?

10. What was the final impact of this film? why?