Eddie in August (TV Movie 1970) Poster

(1970 TV Movie)

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7/10
Benny In Love
ShadeGrenade7 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Eddie is one of nature's losers. One day, he meets and falls in love with the lovely Kathy, and sets about trying to woo her. He buys a car from a shady second-hand dealer, but it breaks down as he drives home. His attempts to impress her with his tennis playing technique go awry - he cannot keep up with his much-younger opponent. As attempt after attempt fails, the only place where Eddie can be confidant of any success is his imagination...

As part of Benny Hill's deal with Thames T. V. following his defection from the B. B. C., he got to write, star, compose the music and co-direct ( with John Robins ) this short comedy film. Its been unseen for years, until it resurfaced recently as an extra on one of 'The Benny Hill Annual' D. V. D's. One would dearly love to describe it as a neglected comedy gem; sadly, it is not.

'Eddie In August' was clearly influenced by the work of Jacques Tati and Charlie Chaplin. The storyline provides the ideal framework for a comedy, but inexplicably Hill fails to deliver much by the way of inspired gags. It doesn't even come to life during Eddie's 'Billy Liar' type daydreams. The result is decidedly flat and tedious. It did not do well in the ratings when first broadcast, and Hill soon returned to his regular show.
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7/10
Surprisingly touching
Ana_Banana15 February 2014
Sometimes great comedians slip and let us catch a glimpse of their melancholy side: think, first of all, Chaplin, the greatest of them all, or Louis de Funes' 'La soupe aux choux'. If we thought of this short film of Benny's as being in the vein of his regular efforts, it may very much surprise us. As he has been so extensively involved in the making of this film, it probably had something of a confession. Despite some of his recurring jokes, it's not at all hilarious or bawdy. Even the nostalgic music says it clearly, there is no trace of Yakety Sax or banjos, so the tone is definitely sad. This is an almost raw, yet touching little film about loneliness, the last thing one would expect from Benny Hill. Perspective is so important to judge on things, thus we can tell the same story in a comedic way or in a tragic way. What's actually funny in slipping on a banana peel and falling, or in getting the ugly girl, or no girl at all? Here for once he tells us bluntly: nothing. 'Comedy is acting optimistic' (Robin Williams).
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