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Off the Dole

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Off the Dole
Theatrical release poster
Directed byArthur Mertz
Written by
Produced byJohn E. Blakeley
Starring
CinematographyJohn W. Boyle
Edited byDennis Cantlan
Music byArthur L Ward
Production
company
Release date
  • September 1935 (1935-09)
Running time
87 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Off the Dole is a 1935 British film starring George Formby. Formby appeared as John Willie, a stage character originally developed by his father, George Formby, Sr.; Beryl Formby, Formby Jnr's wife, also appeared in the film.

Plot

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John Willie has his dole money denied him for moonlighting and not trying to find work. His uncle asks him to take over his detective agency.

Cast

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  • George Formby as John Willie
  • Beryl Formby as Grace, Charm and Ability
  • Constance Shotter as Irene
  • Dan Crisp as The Inimitable Dude
  • James Plant as Crisp and Debonaire
  • Stan Pell as The Most Inoffensive Parson
  • Stan Little as Little Jack
  • Tully Comber as Measured for his Part
  • Clifford McLaglen as A Villain and Proud of It
  • Wally Patch as Revels in his Part

Background/production

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Off the Dole cost £3,000 to make, and earned £80,000 at the box office.[1] As with Formy's previous film, Boots! Boots! (1934), the film was in a revue format, and also showed Formby in the role of John Willie; Beryl was his co-star.[2][3] According to Formby's biographer, the cultural historian Jeffrey Richards, the two films "are an invaluable record of the pre-cinematic Formby at work".[4]

Notes and references

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Notes

References

  1. ^ Richards 2010, p. 198.
  2. ^ "Off the Dole (1935)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 18 September 2010. Retrieved 10 March 2014.
  3. ^ Richards 2004.
  4. ^ Richards 2010, p. 196.

Sources

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