INN FOR TROUBLE

 Some films live on through time, remaining masterpieces, become household names, are enjoyed generation after generation and then there are others that come and go like a flash in a pan and while some are probably best forgotten and blanked out from our memory some through no fault of their own just simply fade into obscurity, one such film that I think deserves at least to have better recognition is the comedy Inn For Trouble; released in 1960 starring British battleaxe Peggy Mount.

Inn For Trouble 1960

Inn For Trouble certainly isn't a grand piece of cinematic history and there are few who would consider it a classic but it is pleasant enough to enjoy, to partially fill a lazy afternoon and at less than an hour and a half long, Inn For Trouble never outstays it's welcome. The film (the title is a pun and perhaps a warning, you're inn for trouble if you mess with mother) is based on a television series (never an indication of excellence) called The Larkins and follows the family as they move away from their suburban home in the big smoke and with an accent like Peggy Mounts it has to be London, to run a country pub known as Ye Earl Osbourne on behalf of the Belchers Brewery. Sounds simple enough, however this being comedy, things don't exactly run smoothly for the big mouthed mother and her clan.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie Peggy Mount Takes On The Hunt

The Larkins find their pub has no punters, the only remaining staff are either grumpy (Charles Hawtrey) or distracting (Yvonne Monlaur), the local copper (policeman) is t-total (doesn't drink alcohol) and despite being located between two major roads there is no passing trade, add a drinking competition and an undercover Earl and there you have the plot of the film that was perhaps better suited to those of the decade that was just ending rather to those of the decade just starting, the final 'knees up mother brown' scene cementing this as a cockney film from days gone by.

The Battleaxe Lays Down Her Weapons

Peggy Mount the family matriarch portrays her character Ada Larkin with her usual trademark style of dominating gusto that would of had her punters running for cover, should they have any.  David Kossoff is decent enough in his role of the hen pecked husband Alf Larkin, whose beloved beer is disliked by the locals and the remaining family ensemble are passably performed by Ronan O'Casey as the son in law whose wife is holidaying in Canada and by Shaun O'Riordan the scoutmaster son who would rather sleep in a tent than at the pub.

Charles Hawtrey billed as special guest in the opening credits has a throw away role appearing in only a handful of scenes as the grumpy employee Silas Withering, his attitude is never really explained despite later in the film exclaiming that the new landlords are working him to hard, so perhaps he prefers the quiet life and plots to send the Larkins packing back to the city.

They're Inn For Trouble Now Charles Hawtrey Is Up To No Good

Character actresses Irene Handl and Esma Cannon appear in just one scene gossiping in the local village shop but have some important information to tell Mrs Larkin, while Leslie Phillips portrays the owner of the Belchers Brewery and is featured at both the beginning and the end of the film.

Overall I would rate Inn For Trouble 6-7/10, it is a pleasing film with some enjoyable characters and has a gentle comedic tone but it never sizzles with fun and excitement, never really has you laughing out loud and yes probably isn't to memorable either, explaining it's widely unknown status today, a shame but perhaps not a big surprise.