FURTHER UP THE CREEK is Hammer's rushed-out sequel to UP THE CREEK, reassembling much the same cast and crew to tell a similar story. The main difference is that Peter Sellers has gone, to be replaced by the reliably funny Frankie Howerd who is very nearly as good. The story is more straightforward this time around: David Tomlinson is once again the confuddled captain who doesn't realise that his ship's voyage to North Africa is transporting a somewhat unorthodox cargo: nine paying passengers he knows nothing about! The corrupt crew try to keep the fact hidden from him and there you have the story. I found the writing a bit weaker this time around and the political climax doesn't really work all that well. Nonetheless, there's a joy from seeing the cast members working together, with Tomlinson on top form and the likes of Sam Kydd and Lionel Jeffries proving their comedic worth. Shirley Eaton is a new addition to the cast and the sexiest she's ever been while Thora Hird has a lot of fun too as the battleaxe. Films like this prove that Hammer were just as adept with other genries as they were comedies.
Review of Further Up the Creek
