What a Crazy World (1963)

Thanks for the memories!

I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

I saw this film as a 13 year old when it was first released, seeing it through the eyes of a teenager living in London I thought it was great, the title song was catchy and it seemed a bright and breezy fun movie, however, watching it again on DVD recently for the first time in over 50 years I wasn't too impressed, I found that unlike some other films released from that period, time had not been kind to it. Although nostalgic in the sense that it showed London as I remember it being like as a kid growing up there, it didn't have much to hold my attention. This was a film to showcase Joe Brown, who was a big star back then, but he was overshadowed by Marty Wilde, who in my opinion stole the show. This film may appeal to people of my generation for reasons of nostalgia, but other than that it has little going for it and I can't see the younger generations wanting to sit through it.

WHAT A CRAZY WORLD is a British musical comedy from 1963. Filmed in black and white it mixes together a bit of everything that was popular during the early 1960s, from kitchen sink social drama to musical numbers, dance scenes, and street gang culture. Watched today it feels very dated but also somehow completely endearing, providing a neat snapshot of what life was like a very long time ago.I found it all irresistibly fun. The film was written and directed by Hammer man Michael Carreras, who can't resist a scene involving the main characters watching THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN at the cinema, as well as casting Hammer favourite Michael Ripper in numerous supporting roles. I've never seen Ripper get so much screen time but he's a real delight here with his droll humour.Main star Joe Brown is a better singer than he is an actor, but there are interesting players in support so it doesn't matter so much. For instance, Harry H. Corbett is a delight as his gruff, bad-tempered father. The depiction of working class life is as accurate as any kitchen sink drama from the period. The musical bits are great fun, particularly the highlight where the hilarious Freddie and the Dreamers turn up for a nightclub act. It's all very lively and effective, and I found absolutely nothing to dislike.

It was Rock Around The Clock that really ignited the craze for rock n roll musically.Most of them made very cheaply and quickly forgettable.This is built round the comment Joe Brown.No actor with an engaging personality.This features both pop stars and experienced actors.The mix works rather well.The music is catchy if unmentionable.There is a lot of location work in sixties London.Also featured are popular entertainments of the sixties.Bingo and ten pin bowling being uses of old cinemas.We also see an extract from The Mummy,a Hammer success of the era.This is no classic but it is an interesting picture of an era now over half a century ago.

From the plot you would expect a potboiler of a film but its stars bring it to life. Harry H. Corbett (AKA Harold Steptoe) and Joe Brown are such likeable characters that you can't help enjoying the movie. Add a live performance from Freddie and the Dreamers and it just can't lose.I watched this black and white film thinking it must have been made in 1959 - 1960 and was somewhat surprised to find it was 1963!