Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
Encyclopedia
Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! is a 1973 British
film
based on the popular "Whitehall Farce
" written by Michael Pertwee
, who also wrote the screenplay
.
behaviour) in the UK. However, that doesn't stop him having an affair
with both Miss Parkyn (his secretary) and Wendy (the wife of a high-up reporter). Opponents to the bill - mainly some hippies, led by Johnny - kidnap the Minister's best friend and co-founder of the bill, Barry Ovis just as he is on the way to the church to marry his fiancee, Jean.
Later and following a tip off by Johnny, the police raid the hippies' flat. The intention is to discredit Barry Ovis by making it appear that he was involved in an orgy and therefore, remove any credibility that the Law and Order Bill might have had. Thankfully (for Barry) he escapes before the police discover him and dashes back to Sir William's flat followed by Damina, one of the hippies.
Meanwhile, the Minister is also trying to use the flat to carry on his affairs with both Wendy and Miss Parkyn. The Minister, Barry & Jean try to keep the truth from Inspector Ruff, Wilfred Potts (an ancient MP, who is staying temporarily in the adjoining flat) and Birdie (the Minister's wife). Not only that, but they have to try to deal with the hippies who do their utmost to discredit Mainwaring-Brown and Ovis. Naturally this causes no end of trouble.
in 1973. Leslie Phillips
was unavailable to reprise his role as William Mainwaring-Brown, so the part went to Warren Mitchell
, who had found lasting fame as Alf Garnett.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
based on the popular "Whitehall Farce
Farce
In theatre, a farce is a comedy which aims at entertaining the audience by means of unlikely, extravagant, and improbable situations, disguise and mistaken identity, verbal humour of varying degrees of sophistication, which may include word play, and a fast-paced plot whose speed usually increases,...
" written by Michael Pertwee
Michael Pertwee
Michael Pertwee was a British playwright and screenwriter. Among his credits were episodes of The Saint, Danger Man, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, B-And-B, Ladies Who Do, and many other films and TV series....
, who also wrote the screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
.
Plot summary
Sir William Mainwaring-Brown, a British Government Minister, puts forward a bill to battle filth (permissivePermissive society
The permissive society is a society where social norms are becoming increasingly liberal. This usually accompanies a change in what is considered deviant. While typically preserving the rule "do not harm others", a permissive society would have few other moral codes...
behaviour) in the UK. However, that doesn't stop him having an affair
Affair
Affair may refer to professional, personal, or public business matters or to a particular business or private activity of a temporary duration, as in family affair, a private affair, or a romantic affair.-Political affair:...
with both Miss Parkyn (his secretary) and Wendy (the wife of a high-up reporter). Opponents to the bill - mainly some hippies, led by Johnny - kidnap the Minister's best friend and co-founder of the bill, Barry Ovis just as he is on the way to the church to marry his fiancee, Jean.
Later and following a tip off by Johnny, the police raid the hippies' flat. The intention is to discredit Barry Ovis by making it appear that he was involved in an orgy and therefore, remove any credibility that the Law and Order Bill might have had. Thankfully (for Barry) he escapes before the police discover him and dashes back to Sir William's flat followed by Damina, one of the hippies.
Meanwhile, the Minister is also trying to use the flat to carry on his affairs with both Wendy and Miss Parkyn. The Minister, Barry & Jean try to keep the truth from Inspector Ruff, Wilfred Potts (an ancient MP, who is staying temporarily in the adjoining flat) and Birdie (the Minister's wife). Not only that, but they have to try to deal with the hippies who do their utmost to discredit Mainwaring-Brown and Ovis. Naturally this causes no end of trouble.
Cast
- Brian Rix - Barry Ovis
- Leslie PhillipsLeslie PhillipsLeslie Samuel Phillips, CBE is an English actor with a highly recognisable upper class accent. Originally known for his work as a comedy actor, Phillips subsequently made the transition to character roles.-Early life:...
- Sir William Mainwaring-Brown - Joan SimsJoan SimsJoan Sims was an English actress best remembered for her roles in the Carry On films, and latterly for playing Madge Hardcastle in As Time Goes By.-Early life:...
- Lady 'Birdie' Mainwaring-Brown - Joanna LumleyJoanna LumleyJoanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, voice-over artist, former-model and author, best known for her roles in British television series Absolutely Fabulous portraying Edina Monsoon's best friend, Patsy Stone, as well as parts in The New Avengers, Sapphire & Steel, and Sensitive...
- Giselle Parkyn - Derek RoyleDerek RoyleDerek Royle was a British actor born in London, United Kingdom. His face was probably better known than his name to British viewers, but he acted in films and TV from the mid-sixties until his death...
- Wilfred Potts - Myra FrancesMyra FrancesMyra Frances is a British actress.In the 1974 Second City Firsts episode "Girl", Frances performed, with Alison Steadman, the first lesbian kiss on British television....
- Jean - Katy ManningKaty ManningKaty Manning is an English actress best known for her part as the companion Jo Grant in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. She has also made many theatre appearances, and is now a citizen of Australia. She is myopic...
- Damina - Peter BlandPeter BlandPeter Bland is a British-New Zealand poet and actor.-Life:He emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 20 and graduated from the Victoria University of Wellington....
- Inspector Ruff - Anita Graham - Wendy
- Barrie GosneyBarrie GosneyBarrie Gosney was a British television, film and theatrical actor.In a career spanning five decades, Gosney played roles in Up Pompeii, Last of the Summer Wine, Believe Nothing, Time Gentlemen Please, and Harry Hill .He is perhaps best remembered for his performances in Harry Hill's show in which...
- Police Sergeant - Derek GriffithsDerek GriffithsDerek Griffiths is a British actor who appeared in numerous British children's television series in the 1960s to 1980s and more recently has played parts in TV drama.- Career :...
- Johnny - Corbet Woodall - TV newsreader
- David Battley - Country Yokel
- Gabrielle DayeGabrielle DayeGabrielle Daye was a British television actress, notable for her role as Mrs. Pring on Bless Me Father...
- Elderly lady - Diane LangtonDiane LangtonDiane Langton is an English actress and singer.She has appeared in numerous TV shows like Only Fools and Horses, where she played Junie, an old girlfriend of Del Boy's, in the 1980s....
- Angie - Aubrey WoodsAubrey WoodsAubrey Woods is an English actor. He was born in London.His television credits include: Z-Cars, Up Pompeii!, Doctor Who , Blake's 7, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Ever Decreasing Circles...
- TV chairman
Television
The film was spun off into a sitcom entitled 'Men of Affairs' for ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in 1973. Leslie Phillips
Leslie Phillips
Leslie Samuel Phillips, CBE is an English actor with a highly recognisable upper class accent. Originally known for his work as a comedy actor, Phillips subsequently made the transition to character roles.-Early life:...
was unavailable to reprise his role as William Mainwaring-Brown, so the part went to Warren Mitchell
Warren Mitchell
Warren Mitchell is an English actor who rose to initial prominence in the role of bigoted cockney Alf Garnett in the BBC television sitcom Till Death Us Do Part , and its sequels Till Death... and In Sickness and in Health , all of which were written by Johnny Speight...
, who had found lasting fame as Alf Garnett.