It seems they really would put up with anything at the Essoldos in the early fifties. Writer-Diector Charlie Saunders possibly saw the Hapgoods as a middle-class answer to the working-class Huggets but thankfully after Fly Away, Peter in 1948 and this follow-up four years later he called it a day. In 1952 things still had to be spelled out so the first reel is spent on Mr and Mrs Hapgood explaining to the estate agent why they are selling a LARGE HOUSE and buying a small one - their four adult children have all left home. By reel 2 they are ensconced in their new bijou property just in time four all four children complete with spouses, children, friends and one large dog to descend in one fell swoop. If this is the sort of thing you find funny you can now buy a boxed set of Old Mother Riley. Don't let me stop you.
5 Reviews
Full House
richardchatten28 July 2020
Yet another film made in the original austerity Britain that modern viewers will find only too familiar today. This lively sequel to 'Fly Away Peter' (1948) - with more exteriors and which even employs split-screen a couple of times - serves as a useful corrective to all those other British movies made at the time set in houses the size of Blenheim.
As the chicks that had originally flown the nest return to the much smaller home their parents now occupy, a 21st Century audience will find the cramped existence the Hapgoods now find thrust upon them - like being forced to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs (how any homes even have one of those these days?), not to mention money worries - only too familiar nearly seventy years later.
As the chicks that had originally flown the nest return to the much smaller home their parents now occupy, a 21st Century audience will find the cramped existence the Hapgoods now find thrust upon them - like being forced to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs (how any homes even have one of those these days?), not to mention money worries - only too familiar nearly seventy years later.
Sub Hugget
malcolmgsw29 September 2020
Almost Unwatchable
jromanbaker2 July 2022
A brash and loud comedy that I struggled to watch in the early hours of the morning. I had insomnia and both a screaming baby and a dog as big as a hound in the film made sure that I would survive on a few hours sleep. An aging couple ( by 1952 standards ) downsize and move into a small house. They do this because they never see their four adult children. Within almost minutes the whole brood descend on the house and then slapstick, vague sex references and poor dialogue take over. For some reason I like British films of this period but this one almost made me change my mind. I may be wrong but I feel it must have been a poor programme filler. I have nothing against this as it kept actors in work, and the UK made many of them, and some were good films and worth remembering. It may still appeal to some, but in all honesty definitely not for me.
Don't bother mate
ygwerin128 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Just found this on Talking Pictures TV Channel, and thought I would like to try it out.
This film is really the kind of movie that would have easily fitted into the 'B Category', screened with the main feature film.
I only recognise one actor Humphrey Lestocq as the dad Arthur Hapgood, the rest of the actors I have no idea about.
A couple decided to move from their house to a smaller property, because the kids had grown up and left home.
They mistakenly imagined that they only needed somewhere for themselves, and the new cottage though compact will probably suit them.
However just when the parents thought that their brood had flown the nest, they suddenly decided to come home to roost.
As if that is not enough having a tiny place packed, with ungrateful brats with their mates.
One of the spoilt sprogs decided to bring his hound, and moaned about his dad "getting above himself".
This film is really the kind of movie that would have easily fitted into the 'B Category', screened with the main feature film.
I only recognise one actor Humphrey Lestocq as the dad Arthur Hapgood, the rest of the actors I have no idea about.
A couple decided to move from their house to a smaller property, because the kids had grown up and left home.
They mistakenly imagined that they only needed somewhere for themselves, and the new cottage though compact will probably suit them.
However just when the parents thought that their brood had flown the nest, they suddenly decided to come home to roost.
As if that is not enough having a tiny place packed, with ungrateful brats with their mates.
One of the spoilt sprogs decided to bring his hound, and moaned about his dad "getting above himself".
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