Somewhere in Politics is a 1948 British comedy film directed by John E. Blakeley and starring Frank Randle, Tessie O'Shea and Josef Locke. It was the fifth film in the Somewhere series of films featuring Randle followed by It's a Grand Life (1953).
It is believed that most of the film is lost. According to the British Film Institute (BFI), only a 18-minute segment of the film is known to exist, which was released as a short film entitled Full House and released nearly 12 years later in June 1960.
Plot
Joe Smart (Frank Randle) is a radio repairman who enters the political arena competing in an upcoming election against his own boss. Joe wins the election, but encounters loads of trouble in the process.
Cast
Frank Randle - Joe Smart
Tessie O'Shea - Daisy Smart
Josef Locke - Cllr. Willoughby
Sally Barnes - Marjorie Willoughby
Syd Harrison - Tony Parker
Max Harrison - Arthur Parker
Bunty Meadows - Martha Parker
Jimmy Clitheroe - Sonny
Sonny Burke - Reggie Smart
Anthony Oakley - Howard
Bernard Graham - Bank Manager
Effi McIntosh - Mrs. Jones
Kay Compston - Lady Hazelmere
Fred Simister - Detective Sergeant
George Little - Mayor
Critical reception
In contemporary reviews, The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The provinces will probably enjoy this knockabout comedy, though many Londoners will fail to see the point". To-Day's Cinema concluded: "In addition to the untiring inventiveness of the star in grimace and tumble, the escapades are served by the clowning of Tessie as Randle's electioneering wife - she also heaves her 'two-ton' around in abandoned dance - by the singing of sentimental ditty by Josef Locke, and by the lunacies of Syd and Max in song and sally. It is all put over with pace and vigour, and will doubtless register heartily with the legion of Randle fans."
References
Bibliography
Richards, Jeffrey. Films and British national identity: from Dickens to Dad's Army. Manchester University Press, 1997.