On the Fiddle

IMDb RATING

5.7/10

585

YOUR RATING

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Comedy War

During World War II, a street peddler invents a story about enlisting, which convinces the magistrate to send him to the RAF instead of prison. A new loyal friend goes along with his schemes... Read allDuring World War II, a street peddler invents a story about enlisting, which convinces the magistrate to send him to the RAF instead of prison. A new loyal friend goes along with his schemes to avoid work, but eventually duty calls.During World War II, a street peddler invents a story about enlisting, which convinces the magistrate to send him to the RAF instead of prison. A new loyal friend goes along with his schemes to avoid work, but eventually duty calls.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.7/10

585

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
In 1965, at the height of the James Bond craze, "American-International Pictures" released this movie in the U.S. as "Operation Snafu". The title, as well as the advertising campaign, downplayed the comedic aspects of the movie, and by highlighting Sir Sean Connery's appearance (he was second-billed), suggested it was an espionage thriller in the tradition of the James Bond movies that were then breaking box-office records worldwide.

Quotes
Flora McNaughton: [sudden power cut, room dimly lit by the roaring fire] I must find some candles, can't eat in the dark.
Flora McNaughton: [Flora chattering, as Pedlar moves closer] when we were children we used to hide in the dark and try to scare each other.
Pedlar Pascoe: You're not scared now ma'am now are you ?
[putting his arms around Flora]
Flora McNaughton: No but... .
Flora McNaughton: [Pedlar kisses Flora and sweeps her into his arms] Airman, put me down, this instance !
Flora McNaughton: [Pedlar kisses Flora again] Put me down... .. and take off your boots.

Connections
Featured in Film '72: Never Say Never Again Special (1983)

Soundtracks
Blaze Away
(uncredited)
Music by Abe Holzmann
Lyrics by Jimmy Kennedy

User reviews14

Review

Featured review

7/10

A good enough yarn with a pre-stardom Connery.

"On the Fiddle" is a good enough film for those who have an hour and a half to spare. Sean Connery was just 1 year away from becoming one of the biggest stars of our time when he made this war comedy/drama. Apparently, it was "On the Fiddle" that led to his being considered for James Bond. Alfred Lynch - largely forgotten today - takes the lead as a fast thinking lovable rogue who knows every dodge there is. Sean Connery is cast as Lynch's slightly dimwitted but loyal friend as they both share various experiences during the second world war. The tone is kept quite lighthearted until about the last 20 minutes of the film. Then both characters are confronted by how truly horrific war is. This film disappeared from everyone's radar apart from rare television broadcasts. The pace is pretty good and the film is a lively one. The joint leads work well together and they carry the film most effectively. All kinds of familiar actors crop up along the way: Stanley Holloway, Kathleen Harrison, Kenneth J. Warren, Hugh Lloyd (of Tony Hancock fame) and others. Alfred Lynch is given the chance to display a more tragic side to his character and it shows there is more to his character than just being a cockney spiv. This is worth a look.