Theatre Royal

Flanagan and Allen were a British two-act. Americans may think of Abbot & Costello, except for this pair, at least, the comic's name comes first and the straight man's second. This one has enough of a plot to make sense: Allen is a theater manager and Flanagan is a stage hand. Allen's girl friend has been talking him into producing high-class stuff that involves her wandering around a swamp, picking dandelions. No one wants to see this, but fortunately Allen's loyal staff is willing to back him in one last try, hoping his girl friend doesn't talk him into another expensive flop.

This is all being masterminded by Owen Reynolds, who was tossed out by Allen's father for stealing. Along comes Finlay Currie, sporting an American accent, who wishes to hire the theater...

Although not as fast-paced as the Crazy Gang comedies the two had last appeared in, this is a pleasant bit of wartime fluff for the British home market. Flanagan and Allen take a break from their routines to sing a pleasant song or three and it's good to see Mr. Currie in this sort of a role -- Americans are so used to seeing him being the Old & Noble Scottish Laird, that it's a pleasant change to see him doing something a bit different.